As such, the 18-year-old will be available to play for any other team which may require a replacement.
Gabrielle is currently in the ACT/NSW Country under 19 squad and training with the ACT Meteors in Canberra, whilst studying physiotherapy at the University of Canberra.
At the end of the month she will join the Thunder squad in the specially arranged WBBL hub based around the Sydney Showgrounds precinct.
With the new location, continuation of her four-year course studies and cricket, it’s a big program.
“It will definitely be full on,” Gabby told The Free Press. “I’ve had a lot of contact with the convenor at uni to ensure everything will be alright.”
The selection of the medium pace, predominantly outswing bowler off a 14-metre run-up, who is more than a handy bat, was praised.
“Gabby is a very dedicated athlete who loves the game and wants to learn as much as she can,” Riverina Female Academy head coach, and NSW Country national team star Catherine Wood said.
“She is fantastic with the younger players coming through and always willing to help out anyway she can.
“Gabby just loves the training aspect of the game and is very hard to get out of the nets some days, such is her appetite for getting better.” “I love bowling. I love batting,” Gabby said.
Cath said Gabby “always manages to take a wicket or two and is a handy bat – in B Grade she bats high up”.
The girl who started her junior cricket at Oaklands is highly regarded at Corowa Cricket Club.
“Gab is a fantastic young lady, very smart at school also and committed to her sport,” club president Paul Lavis said.
“She opened the bowling her at times over the last two years when not playing rep cricket.”
This year, all WBBL matches will be played in Sydney after the COVID-19 pandemic forced organisers to change the schedule to the one city.
The full 59 matches will be played, with Australian superstar Rachael Haynes captaining Sydney Thunder in the sixth edition of WBBL.
“A challenge, but an exciting challenge,” was Sydney Thunder coach Trevor Griffin’s verdict when quizzed about his team’s draw for the Big Bash season.
“Compared to any previous WBBL season, this is a full-on campaign.”
A packed draw means the Thunder will at one point play six matches in nine days, increasing the need to rest and manage players.
The Thunder’s first match is against Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on October 25.
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