Hobart Hurricanes add 13-year-old Mia Barwick to Spring Challenge squad

Hobart Hurricanes have called up 13-year-old Mia Barwick to join their squad for the T20 Spring Challenge. She will replace all-rounder Heather Graham, who has travelled to the UAE to play the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 for Australia after Tayla Vlaeminck's tournament-ending injury.

Barwick is a talented pace bowler who was in scintillating form during the Cricket Tasmania Premier League last year in her maiden season for North Hobart Cricket Club. She also performed well at the Under-16 and Under-19 Female National Championships.

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The Hobart Hurricanes are currently placed at No. 3 on the T20 Spring Challenge standings and have two more games to play this week. They are vying for a spot in the Finals on Saturday, October 19, but the first target would be to cement a place in the top four. Barwick carried the drinks against Perth Scorchers on Monday, October 14, and has a chance to feature in the business end of the new early-season competition which is serving as a dress rehearsal for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

"At only 13 years of age, the Hobart Hurricanes are proud to see a Cricket Tasmania pathways athlete given exposure to the professional game early on in Barwick's career," Hurricanes said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Caoimhe Bray impresses for Sydney Sixers

The premier Australian cricketers are playing in the Women's T20 World Cup, while the WBBL overseas players are yet to join. Therefore, the T20 Spring Challenge has given chances to several young players to showcase their skills.

At Sydney Sixers, 15-year-old all-rounder Caoimhe Bray has made an impact, following an impressive outing for Australia Under-19s earlier in the month. Bray took 2/19 on debut against ACT before claiming the wicket of Laura Harris when facing Brisbane Heat, the day after the latter had smashed an exhilarating 46-ball ton.

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Meanwhile, the Spring Challenge was introduced to compensate for the reduction of matches in the WBBL, where 40 games will be played. According to initial plans, the tournament was slated to be a state competition but pressure from New South Wales and Victoria turned it into a competition including WBBL teams.