Otago Sparks announce domestic contracts for the 2020-21 season

Otago Sparks have announced their nine domestically contracted players ahead of the 2020-21 season. Allrounder Gemma Adams, who made her debut for Auckland Hearts in the last Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, is the only new face in the list.



Trio of Suzie Bates, Katey Martin and Hayley Jensen, who were part of the New Zealand’s recent tour to Australia, are the centrally contracted players in the squad.



Off-spinner Eden Carson, one of the eight players to receive the development contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), is also part of the squad. She is the only one to take a five-wicket haul during the last year’s Super Smash competition.



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Polly Inglis has been named in the domestic contract list as after her stint with Nottinghamshire in England. She represented Sparks in 97 matches since her debut in 2012. From last year's list, Ella Brown, Georgia Clarke and Olivia Gain haven't found a place for the upcoming season. Marina Lamplough and Sophie Oldershaw are among the players given domestic contract.



Leg-spinner Oldershaw took eight wickets in the List A competition an average of 20.62-including a five-wicket haul against Canterbury. 19-year-old Emma Black was the highest wicket- taker for Sparks during the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield. Caitlin Blakely, who scored 217 runs from nine matches with two fifties to her name also has been retained her.



Simon Forde, Otago Cricket performance and talent manager, said awarding the domestic contracts wasn’t an easy one with the quality female players around.



"It’s great to announce such a quality group of cricketers in the Otago Sparks contract group for the 2020-21 season. It’s a sign of emerging depth when quality players miss out on the contract group as they have this year,” he said.



2020/21 Contracts



NZC central contracts: Suzie Bates, Katey Martin, Hayley Jensen



NZC development contracts: Eden Carson



Otago Sparks contracts: Gemma Adams, Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Millie Cowan, Bhagya Herath, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Marina Lamplough, Sophie Oldershaw