Greater Northern Raiders women return to Cricket Tasmania Premier League action

With Hobart Hurricanes Sasha Moloney, Belinda Vakarewa and Ruth Johnston plus Sydney Thunder's Corinne Hall all on WBBL duty and Emma Manix-Geeves still out with a stress fracture, the Raiders are set to welcome some new faces for their double-header against North Hobart.

As Moloney sits first in the CTPL bowling (six wickets at 7.17) and fielding (four catches) stats and second in the batting (108 runs at 36.00), Johnston tops the run-scorers (134 at 33.5) and sits fourth among the bowlers (five at 10-8) with Vakrewa fifth (three at 33.5), there are some big shoes to fill.

But coach Darren Simmonds is confident his squad can cope as the ladder-leaders chase a fifth straight victory.

"Ruth and Sasha in particular have played a major role for us so far but the great strength of our side is our depth and we're looking for all our players to lift and we've got confidence in our whole squad to be able to step up," he said.

"North Hobart have got a very good young side, a similar maker-up to ourselves and are sitting second on the ladder.

"Last season we had some quite close games against them and I really rate their young talent.

"They have a good bowling attack led by Grace Pullen, Clare Scott and Ella Marsh."

As with all southern double-headers, the Raiders face a major time commitment with a scheduled 6.15am departure and an expected return of about 8.30pm after which the North-West players still have another journey to get home.

"The games down in Hobart will be a tough challenge but we're looking forward to performing well," Simmonds said.

"It's a big day for everyone but that's what we do and we embrace it.

"We always look forward to time on the bus, it's a good bonding experience. The girls have a bit of a sleep on the way down and usually a sing-song on the way back.

"We don't really have a meal together because, being a Sunday, they all have school or work the next day and want to get home."

Caitlyn Webster will captain the side as she did when Moloney left the field in the last game due to injury.