The Central Sparks of 2023 are looking to hit the ground running and build on what they did in 2022. For those of you who’ve not yet got to know our players. This article might just help you out!
Eve Jones
Jones, the captain of the Lloyd Tennant led Sparks team is the opening batter and is looking to make an instant impact to the side in 2023 after leading them since 2020.
The Shropshire-born player got into cricket at the age of four, through her father who was a player and coach at her local club in Whitchurch.
With the new season being an eagerly anticipated one for many, Jones and the Sparks start at Trent Bridge against The Blaze in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, and there are plenty of goals in 2023 for the 30-year-old.
Jones hopes the team can win some silverware and play a positive brand of cricket. Personally, she’s aiming to replicate her 2021 season and play with freedom.
Grace Potts
Potts, or Pottsy as she is usually known by her teammates is a bowler for the Sparks, while also having previously played for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred.
Pottsy got into cricket because of her brother, who used to play county and at club level which meant she spent a lot of time watching. The bowler was then asked if she’d like to give it a go and now, the rest is history.
For 2023, Pottsy’s goals are to contribute to the Sparks being successful and personally, she’d like to back up the good season she had last year in the wicket’s column, and finally look to make impacts in games.
Chloe Brewer
Brewer, a batting all-rounder for the Birmingham-based side, joined the Sparks after spending time with the South-east Stars, and London Spirit in the Hundred.
The 20-year-old got into the game at the age of 12, through someone going into her school, and after enjoying it Brewer joined a local club.
In 2023, the Sparks all-rounder wants to showcase the best of her ability, and coming into a new team she feels it’s a good opportunity with a clean slate to make an impression.
Issy Wong
20-year-old Issy, or Wongi as she’s known, has been with the Sparks since 2020 after spending a season with the Southern Vipers. Wong has also played for Sydney Thunder in Australia, while appearing for Mumbai Indians earlier this year. Wong also plays in the Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix.
After picking up cricket at her local primary school, the Sparks bowler suddenly gained a love for the game and went through the Warwickshire age groups before ending up a player for the Sparks.
In 2023, Wong is looking to continue building what she did last season, while contributing to the team and hopefully gaining some success with the team.
Katie George
George, who is referred to in the team as KG, is an all-rounder, who has spent time playing for the Southern Vipers, Western Storm and will play for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred this year.
KG got into cricket through her father, as they used to go and watch test cricket together, and since then her love for the game has grown.
In 2023, her goals are to contribute with both bat and ball, while also helping the Sparks get to finals of both the competitions.
Ami Campbell
Geordie cricketer Campbell is a left-handed batter, who is one of the more experienced members in the squad. The 31-year-old has played for Durham and Worcestershire, while also having featured in the Hundred for the Northern Superchargers.
Campbell has cricket in her roots as her mother worked at her local club, while her father was a player. So, she spent much of her upbringing and summer holidays playing the game, which progressed from there.
Her goals for 2023 are to contribute to wins, make a few big scores, and enjoy playing the game with her teammates, while not looking to far ahead and focusing on the now.
Hannah Baker
Baker, a leg spin bowler for the Sparks, who has played for Worcestershire and Warwickshire, while also appearing for Welsh Fire in the Hundred is hoping to make a splash in Tennant’s side in 2023.
She first got into cricket through her brother, who played at her local club, Beacon CC. Baker joined in, became a member, and has loved the game since then.
This season, Baker has ambitions to be the team’s leading wicket taker but has focus on being a reliable bowler for her side.
Poppy Davies
Batter and wicket keeper Davies has been a valuable member of the Sparks team, having played for the side since 2020.
Like others, she got into the sport through her family, as she says they are ‘cricket mad,’ and she wanted to join in playing with her brother.
Davies is injured at the moment, and when she returns, her goals for 2023 are to get back to full fitness and get back playing consistent cricket.
Erin Burns
Overseas Australian international Burns is a batting all-rounder, who has spent time playing domestic cricket around the globe in competitions such as, the WBBL [Women’s Big Bash League], IPL [Indian Premier League] and the Hundred.
The 34-year-old began her playing career with Tasmania in 2009 and joins the Sparks for 2023 where she is looking to get stuck into the UK game while competiting in both domestic cups for the team.
Abbey Freeborn
Freeborn is a batter and wicket keeper and has spent time playing for the Trent Rockets in the Hundred as well as the Sparks.
She got into cricket through the persuasion of her father, and for her 11th birthday, was gifted a Nokia slide up phone if she tried continuing to play the game. Since then, she’s never looked back.
Freeborn’s goals for 2023 are to help the Sparks lift some silverware, and to be a better cricketer than she was last year.
Bethan Ellis
Ellis is an all-rounder, who got into the game from playing in her garden with her father. She and her brother went to their local club, and Ellis picked it up from there.
Her goals for 2023 with the Sparks are to debut for the team and contribute to team wins throughout the season.
Davina Perrin
Perrin is a batting all-rounder, who at just 16 years of age, isn't only our youngest player but has a professional contract.
The Sparks number eight got into cricket when she was six, after she noticed her sister playing at their local club. Perrin loved watching her sister, and naturally, being a teenager, she wanted to get involved - and the youngster has never stopped playing the game since.
Her goals for 2023 are to improve performances, score more runs and contribute with the ball. She wants to help the team be successful in the two respective competitions and to also complete her GCSE's too!
Anisha Patel
Patel is a leg spin bowler, who has played for the team since its formation in 2020.
Her interest to the game of cricket was shared from her father who played and watched, which then progressed to playing at school. Patel then went through the age groups in county ag system.
In 2023, the bowler hopes to produce consistent performances with the ball and contribute to the team in any way she can.
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