Tara Murray
The development of the Sydenham-Hillside female program has taken another step with the club signing its first import.
Ireland international Alane Dalzell will join the Storm in October, taking on the captaincy role of the club’s first XI which will play in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition.
The Storm’s head of cricket Warren Hackney said this was something that the club had been looking at for a couple of years.
Dalzell made her one-day debut for Ireland earlier this year.
“We’re really excited about it,” Hackney said. “We’ve actually wanted to do this for a few years and it was about getting the right player on the women’s side.
“She’s a young talented star and talented prospect. We’re looking to leverage her experience and we will look at her as a role model for the young girls to aspire to.
“Not just the young girls, but the senior women as well and teach them on and off the field.
“We’re looking forward to having her here.”
Hackney said they got in touch with Dazell through one of their new male imports. From there they touched base and got the ball rolling.
Dazell will miss the first few rounds and is set to arrive in late October.
The signing comes after the club had signed Anthony Alleyne as coach for the women’s program. Alleyne, one of the club’s new imports, played under-19 internationals for the West Indies.
Hackney said the experience of both Alleyne and Dazell would help develop the program further.
“We’ve got a lot of experience on board,” he said. “ We’ve got high level people who have played internationally.
“We want to maximise learnings and teachings girls,” he said. “Hopefully it will help with the development of the girls.”
The Storm is set to have two women’s sides for a second straight season.
The top side will play on turf in the CVWCCC. A change of structure means they will play in the shield 3 competition.
Hackney said they expected to be competitive in that grade.
The other will play in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association social competition.
The club is still looking for players.
