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Straight off the bat, the Auckland Hearts 2023/24 contract list is packed with youth. Following retirements of Katie Perkins, Sarah Carnachan, Holly Huddleston and the absence of Ireland’s Arlene Kelly, they’ve had some spots to fill in the off season.
One of the latest editions in Elizabeth Buchanan. With Izzy Gaze contracted to the White Ferns, Buchanan comes to the fore as the sole contracted wicketkeeper for the Hearts. She’s likely to take the gloves for the majority of the season given the packed International schedule for Gaze.
Buchanan made her T20 debut versus the Central Hinds back in the 2022/23 Women’s Super Smash, a catch behind allowing for her first top-level wicketkeeper dismissal.
Buchanan has also been a key figure in the Epsom Girls Grammar School side in the Gillette Venus Cup, first debuting in 2019. Last season she saw a good stint behind the stumps in the Cup; she claimed 3 stumpings (1st in the tournament) and a catch.
“Thank you to the many people who have contributed to my cricket development so far. A special acknowledgement to the parents and coaches who have transported me to countless trainings and games while I’ve been a boarder at Epsom Girls Grammar,” Buchanan added.
Left arm spinner Kate Irwin and right arm pacer Olivia Anderson earn their places on the contract list following the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
Anderson claimed 5 scalps for her country, with best returns of 2-14 versus West Indies U19, as well as gallant efforts in the field to power her side to the semi finals.
“I’m really excited to get my first contract to the Hearts this season. I was fortunate enough to join them for a few weeks before I went away to the U19 World Cup, and that really motivated me to push for a contract this season,” says Anderson.
“I plan to learn as much as I can, and I look forward to taking my opportunity when the time comes.”
Irwin was a late call-up to the White Ferns U19s following an injury to fellow Auckland rep Fran Jonas. She finished wicketless though went for a neat 4.10 runs per over
The Auckland-born spinner was also given a sprinkling of HBJ fixtures after the World Cup, picking up her first wicket in the form of Caitlin King.
Irwin was the 4th highest run scorer in the Women’s National Under-19 Tournament last year, notching up 248 runs with two 50+ scores and the highest average of the competition (82.66). She was also joint highest wicket taker in the multi-format comp with 15 wickets to her name, alongside fellow Aucklander Rishika Jaswal.
“I’m super excited for this upcoming season and the opportunities it will bring. I’m so grateful to have been given a contract, and I just can’t wait to be a part of the Hearts this year and learn from the coaches and senior players,” says Irwin.
Daniel Archer, Auckland Cricket’s Director of Performance and Talent, believes the Hearts can offer a new page for the history books.
“We are thrilled about the group of players coming together to make up the HEARTS squad for the upcoming domestic season. There is a wonderful opportunity for individuals, and the group collectively, to start writing an exciting new chapter following the retirement of some generational players at the end of last season,”
“Congratulations to Elizabeth, Kate and Olivia on their first domestic playing agreements, and we can’t wait to get the group finalised and back together to begin our preparation for the season ahead.”
Its not just the youth Auckland will be looking to rely on - there’s already some proven power in the pace attack.
Left arm speedster Breearne Illing was unfortunate with injury last season, it even ruled her out of the U19 World Cup, but makes the contract list to bolster the side’s strength.
Illing looked strong on her List A debut versus Canterbury. 2 wickets to her name with a maiden and just 15 runs conceded from 7 overs, Illing will be one to watch out for when she’s at full strength.
Right arm medium pacer Amie Hucker had her best season to date in both the Super Smash and HBJ Shield last year. 9 wickets came from her T20 run, where she worked in tandem with Arlene Kelly and Molly Penfold. It’s clear she had worked on her batting too, top scoring with a knock of 32* (40) coming in at 8 in a low scoring T20 thriller versus Northern Brave.
The HBJ Shield wasn’t Auckland’s strong point, but that didn't stop Hucker’s run of form. The last 3 games of the season saw her flourish. Figures of 2-60 versus eventual champions Wellington, 3-37 and 2-54 against Otago left the Hearts with positive signs heading into this season.
Amberly Parr first broke into the Hearts side in 2022. Since, she’s only featured in 6 games. From 3 overs on T20 debut, she took the key wicket of Wellington’s Rebecca Burns for just 5 runs - a sign of things to come from this young swing bowler.
A player who is surprisingly only just getting places in the Auckland squad is Josie Penfold, sister of Molly. Despite being named in squads and becoming a prominent name in the club cricket scene, the speedster couldn’t find a way in.
In her first 3 T20s of her career, Penfold did not see a single over for Kent (2019) nor Auckland (2023). It was her second T20 for Auckland where she was tossed the ball.
Penfold was sensational versus then-reigning Super Smash champions Wellington Blaze. 4 wickets in a mesmerising spell that saw the end of Leigh Kasperek, Kate Chandler, Xara Jetly and Nicole Baird.
Skye Bowden offers a pace option for Auckland though hasn’t had the ball tossed to her since 2021. She was in an awkward position with the bat last season too. Scheduled to come in at 8 though she’d rarely had to bat, and with the Hearts’ reluctancy to bowl her, it was a confusing scenario.
It will be interesting to see what she will be doing for the Hearts this season, and how she will be allowed to contribute with spaces in the bowling attack left by Kelly and Huddleston.
Legspinner Makayla Templeton is given her second contract with the Hearts after moving from Northern Brave after the 2021/22 season.
Bella Armstrong had featured in the side for many seasons, though last season saw her enter a new dimension with her batting. A powerful performance came at Pukekura Park, versus the Hinds. From 34 deliveries she scored 71 runs, 11 fours and a 6, striking at 208.82. She also picked up a wicket in the same game for good measure.
Runs came to her in the HBJ Shield too while rounding off the season, a 44 (42) and 29 (41) vs Otago saw her side with match winning totals in both games. Armstrong could be looking for a move up the order to 3 to cover Katie Perkins’ exit.
More recently, Armstrong has been playing for the Dragons in Ireland’s Super Series. In her first game she opened up in the 50 overs vs the Typhoons, scoring 163* (134) with a staggering 19 fours and a 6. This remains the highest individual score in the Super Series.
Her bowling was less than ideal for the side last year though, finding inconsistencies with her line and length. It would be wiser for the Hearts to preserve her for the batting innings, while allowing Parr or J Penfold her allotted overs.
Prue Catton was named captain in the final few games of the 2022/23 season. Her ability to keep a cool head at the top of the order is just what the side needs with Lauren Down out for the season.
Catton had taken a couple games to get herself into an innings, before reaching 57 (49) in the Super Smash versus Central Hinds. It was an innings of pure class and her natural leadership was present for all to see.
Saachi Shahri rounds off the contract list, another player who seemed to come into the fore last season. She is technically one of the most sound batters around in the NZ domestic arena, though takes her time.
Shahri saw her highest T20 score in the first game of the season, an impressive showing for 68 runs off 55 deliveries against Otago. She finished 8th in the run-scoring charts with 216 to her name and a vastly improved strike rate from previous years as well (104.85)
And just incase you forgot, Auckland also sought out two of the best List A batters at the head of the season - Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green.
Emma Irwin, sister of Kate, has moved on to the Canterbury Magicians after earning a contract there. Emma topped the 2021/22 U19 National Tournament run charts with Auckland.
Hearts’ skipper Lauren Down will sit the season out after rejecting both White Ferns and Auckland contracts due to personal reasons.
Auckland Hearts 2023/24 Contract List:
Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Skye Bowden, Anna Browning, Elizabeth Buchanan, Prue Catton, Amie Hucker, Kate Irwin, Amberly Parr, Josie Penfold, Saachi Shahri, Makayla Templeton.
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