Emma Manix-Geeves ready to step up from Greater Northern Raiders to WNCL

Since returning from shin and quad injuries last month, the 21-year-old has amassed 332 runs opening for the Greater Northern Raiders, top scoring in five consecutive matches and establishing a stunning Cricket Tasmania Premier League average of 166.

After the team tasted defeat for the first time this season in Sunday's Twenty20 final at Bellerive, Manix-Geeves returned to the Tasmanian Tigers, flying to Adelaide for some warm-up games ahead of the WNCL season.

She hit 37 not out batting at seven in an exhibition game against South Australia on Tuesday, and, while keen to prove herself on the national stage, is indebted to the Tasmanian concept, and coaches Tim Coyle and Darren Simmonds, for the opportunity.

"I love playing for the Raiders," she said.

"It's a high performance program within a cricket team now that Cricket Tasmania have taken over everything to do with the Raiders.

"All the girls choose to be there, they are not forced to be there, and I love the way they go about it. They never complain about the 6am bus trips down to Hobart. They are always upbeat and ready to go."

Manix-Geeves said her Riverside clubmate Simmonds has been the perfect person to lead the young team.

"Simmo does a lot for the Raiders program and cricket in the North and it's great to have a coach who you can see cares so much about it and loves being part of the program.

"If there's one word for Simmo it's passionate. If you get a phonecall from Simmo you know you need to block out the next hour but we'd all rather that than a coach who is not interested.

"He has some different ideas but he is happy to sit back and listen to ideas from others and take them on board.

"He's got a good cricket brain and has been there and done that and I really like that as a coach. And he's really shown belief in me. Anything he asks of his players he would do himself so he practices what he preaches and is a good bloke."

Returning the compliment, Simmonds wished Manix-Geeves well on her WNCL return.

"Em is what the Raiders are all about," he said.

"She had to go to Hobart to go forward with her cricket but we got her back when she lost her state contract. Coyley spent a lot of time working on her game and she was able to play really good cricket last year which has continued this year.

"She brings leadership to the side - keepers always do - and we're really pleased to see her playing some really good cricket and hopefully that will continue into Tasmanian performances."

Manix-Geeves appears in confident mood as she seeks to follow fellow Northern graduate Courtney Webb onto the national stage.

"I can't wait. It's been a long time away from the team.

"I'm hoping to perform at this level, prove myself and who knows what can happen but I definitely want to strive for bigger things.

"We all feel we had a very good side last year and could not get over the line and we're very excited about the list this year so there's no reason why we cannot go all the way and win Tasmania its first WNCL title.

"There's a lot of belief in the side and we're excited."