Mariners pair in WA squad

WA’s female squad for the upcoming Australian Country Cricket Championships has been bolstered by the addition of two talented Rockingham-Mandurah players.

Jazmyne Roberts, 18, and Mel Saunders, 17, will compete in the tournament in Wollongong from January 3-11.

Players from regional clubs around the State were selected for the 13-strong squad.

Roberts is based in Bunbury but travels to Rockingham every fortnight to play for the Mariners.

A skilled bowler, her statistics caught the eye of selectors and she was invited to join the squad.

“I’m really excited to be involved in this competition and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together,” Roberts said.

“The team is very strong and we have a lot of girls who are really good at what they do on board.

“It can be very difficult to get us all together with such big distances to cover but I am sure we will be competitive.”

Saunders is a regular face in the WA Country side, having travelled to South Australia earlier this year for the 2016 championships.

She discovered her passion for cricket after taking part in a school carnival four years ago and is now captain of the Rockingham-Mandurah under-18 side.

“I love being a part of the country team and learning everything I can from the experienced players,” she said. “The best part about cricket is the social elem-ent.

“I have made so many great friends from all over WA and had opportunities to meet players from Asia who are invited to the country championships.”

The female WA side will be coached by Karol Guglielmana, with Bunbury’s Meg Thompson the captain and her deputy the Mid West’s Lauren Mainwaring, who made last year’s team of the tournament.

The side will play six Twenty20 games before the finals.