One of Launceston's finest cricket talents will get her chance at WBBL08 success after Emma Manix-Geeves signed with the Hobart Hurricanes.
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The 21-year-old cemented her spot in Tasmania's title-winning WNCL side last year and now gets her chance at the shorter format, having represented the Hurricanes five times during WBBL05.
The announcement caps off a rollercoaster two years for the keeper-batter, who was dropped from her Tasmanian contract following the 2019-20 season.
"It's been a crazy couple of years, from losing my state contract, to coming back into the Tigers set-up and taking that next big step and finishing the season the way I did in the final," Manix-Geeves said.
"It really gives me confidence that I belong at the top level and that the work behind the scenes is paying off.
"I've had a taste of WBBL action before, and to be back representing Tasmania at this level again is something I'm really excited about, and really proud to be able to do.
"I can't wait to get out there and play whatever role I can, and just keep improving and growing as a player in every format."
Since being dropped from her Tasmanian contract, Manix-Geeves has been arguably the state's most in-form cricketer, becoming the first player to claim back-to-back Kim Fazackerley Medals as the CTPL's best and fairest.
The Riverside Cricket Club product has scored 1279 runs at an average of 63.95 for the Greater Northern Raiders over the last two seasons before carrying her form into the Tigers' side.
She averaged 42.85 in nine appearances at domestic level last season, culminating in her maiden century on the biggest stage of them all - the WNCL grand final - where she scored 104*.
Manix-Geeves' efforts earned her the honour of Cricket Tasmania's Female Young Player of the Year at last season's annual awards.
The first female ever to feature in Cricket North's A-grade competition is yet to bat in the WBBL, a statistic which will be bound to change early next season, having batted in the top order for the Tigers towards the end of last season.
With former New Zealand international Rachel Priest and the Hurricanes mutually parting ways, the new signing is the only wicket-keeper locked in this season, meaning her opportunity could come early.
Manix-Geeves joins Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Amy Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman and Elyse Villani as Hurricanes signings so far, with the side looking to make finals for the first time since WBBL02.
When the signing of Villani was announced last week, coach Salliann Beams didn't mince her words in regards to the side's form.
"We've got to make finals, I've got to put my hand up and I don't think the Hurricanes have contributed to this competition at all since I've been here," Beams said.
"We should be playing for a finals spot, yeah, we want to win it but we've got to get there first."
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Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
