Because the ACT Meteors' youngest contracted player is determined to make the most of her chance as she sets her sights on a WNCL debut.

Her next step comes in Cricket ACT's answer to the Big Bash with a round of Twenty20 double-headers at Kippax Oval coming on Saturday.

The four-team Female Bash is designed to bridge the gap between the ACT Meteors and the region's best grade cricketers.

Afaras is set to play a key role for the Southern Pride in a round-robin tournament featuring the Northern Frenzy, Western Crash and Eastern Fever.

With the return of the WNCL coming in three weeks, Afaras finally has a chance to zone in on cricket - and it starts on Saturday.

"I just finished year 12, so training has been a little bit patchy in ways," Afaras said.

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"I've had to do a lot of training in Sydney and then travel down to Canberra during periods where there's not too much happening at school.

"It's been a little bit interesting this year, but now I've finished my HSC, I can really focus.

"I'm staying here now for the next two months, so I can really concentrate, knuckle down and get ready for the rest of the season ahead."

Afaras' role as something of a leader for the Pride defies her age.

Because the 18-year-old off-spinner is the youngest contracted Meteor and still sees herself as one of those younger players she is mentoring.

"In a way it's a little bit weird that I have this responsibility to coach these younger players as well while I am still learning off the older players," Afaras said.

"It's a weird role but I look forward to the tournament coming up and working with some of those younger players, and trying to nurture them as I have been at the Meteors.

"Not many of us know each other, we've got quite a few younger players and a few older players as well.

"There's quite a few good players here, Ange Reakes is coaching us which is pretty exciting."

The Pride will open their campaign against a Northern Frenzy outfit captained by Zoe Cooke and featuring Meteors skipper Erin Osborne.

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Cooke is relishing the chance to take on a leadership role for the Frenzy following her return to the Meteors squad last summer.

For not so long ago she would finish a grade game and roll into the club for a beer. But now? She is preparing all week, staying hydrated and eating well - "it's very different".

"It's an incredible experience, not just for the rookies coming through but also for the club cricketers coming through," Cooke said

"It's special, getting to see where I was back five or six years ago, to be able to now help those same people, it's great.

"It's not just about getting out and playing, it's seeing how we prepare, how we go through our pre-match rituals.

"It's going to be incredible for them, the experience of getting out and playing cricket with us, and seeing how we hold ourselves."

Meanwhile, the second round of Douglas Cup clashes will draw to a close on Saturday afternoon.

The eight clubs will then back up for Twenty20 Cup double-headers in the round-robin tournament on Sunday.

FEMALE TWENTY20 BASH

Eastern Fever squad: Maitlan Brown (captain), Liz Coper-Jones (vice-captain), Yasmin Welsford (wicketkeeper), Amy Yates, Amy Jason Jones, Georgia Bye, Monica Gair, Cherie Taylor, Madelyne Czubara, Rachel Kincaid, Mikaylah John, Tayah Hancock. Rookies: Lucy Jones, Chloe McGann. Coach: David Drew.

Northern Frenzy squad: Zoe Cooke (captain), Jade Allen (vice-captain), Carly Leeson, Tilly Lugg (wicketkeeper), Erin Osborne, Claire Murray, Jessie Mudaliar, Amy Wells, Sophie Heath, Sharna Mitchell, Talia Moreton-Stewart, Grace Kuchlmayr. Rookies: Stella Wilde, Amber Smith. Coach: Erin Osborne.

Western Crash squad: Erica Kershaw (captain, wicketkeeper), Grace Lyons (vice-captain), Nic Hancock, Maddie Penna, Clare Levings, Katie Mack, Jess Galeano, Julia Bassett, Kristen McCormack, Melanie Tiffen, Jemma Pollock, Alisa Clark. Rookies: Sarah Quilty, Alana Horsfall. Coach: Jono Dean.

Southern Pride squad: Anna Lanning (captain), Kelly Rowlings (vice-captain), Sarah Coyte, Caitlin Galeano (wicketkeeper), Izzy Afaras, Mia Phelps, Janet King, Jamie Kneebone, Allison McGrath, Tyjana Blacka, Isabella Grieg, Victoria King, Kaylee Trenerry. Rookies: Bridgitte Anable, Rachel Carroll. Coach: Ange Reakes.

Fixture:

Round one: December 14 - Northern Frenzy v Southern Pride at Kippax No 1 Oval, 10am. Eastern Fever v Western Crash at Kippax No 2 Oval, 10am.

Round two: December 14 - Northern Frenzy v Eastern Fever at Kippax No 1 Oval, 2.30pm. Southern Pride v Western Crash at Kippax No 2 Oval, 2.30pm.

Round three: December 21 - Northern Frenzy v Western Crash at Harrison No 1 Oval, 10am. Eastern Fever v Southern Pride at Harrison No 2 Oval, 10am.

Round four: January 11 - Northern Frenzy v Southern Pride at Phillip Oval, 10am. Eastern Fever v Western Crash at Mawson Turf Oval, 10am.

Rookie exhibition match: January 17 - Exhibition featuring players aged 12 to 15 at Phillip Oval, 10am.

Third place playoff: January 17 - Third place v Fourth place at Phillip Oval, 2pm.

Final: January 17 - First place v Second place at Phillip Oval, 6pm.

CRICKET ACT DOUGLAS CUP

Saturday: Play resumes on day two - WESTON CREEK MOLONGLO 7dec-348 (S Taylor 94, J Low-McMahon 68; B Thomas 3-108, J Willcox 2-70) v GINNINDERRA 1-14 (B Thomas 8*, J Misic 1*; D Bloomfield 1-2) at Stirling Oval.

TUGGERANONG VALLEY 8dec-329 (B Ivery 86, M Rogers 66; A Vala 4-84, A Tarpey 2-61) v NORTH CANBERRA-GUNGAHLIN 0-11 (G Forrest 10*, B Winkler 1*) at Chisholm Oval.

EASTLAKE 154 (S Richards 44, J Sutton 32; B Dean 3-9, A Taylor 2-13) v WESTERN DISTRICT 3-140 (B Dean 81, J Smith 30*; A Perera 2-5, J Wood 1-5) at Jamison Oval.

ANU 250 (N Groenewegon 89, A Lark 35; M Solway 5-79, O Cheatle 2-31) v QUEANBEYAN 1-51 (D Solway 22*, T Kellar 19*; L Evans 1-11) at ANU North Oval.