Auckland women set about title defence build-up

A 15-strong State Auckland Hearts pre-season squad has been named. The side features six players from the Grafton United club, four from Parnell and three from Cornwall.

White Ferns star Rebecca Rolls will captain the side, taking over the reins from Michelle Lynch. Lynch and strike bowler Natalee Scripps are soon to depart for India, as part of the White Ferns side. Seasoned international Emily Drumm rejoins the squad after her first winter break in 10 years of first-class cricket.

Coach Sarah Beaman (nee Kelly) says the Hearts squad has been training hard over winter and will be engaging in some team-building activities this weekend. "It's a surprise for the players but suffice to say Maria McElroy [the manager] and myself will enjoy observing from the sidelines."

The newcomer to the Hearts is promising young quick bowler Shanna Coetze from Waitakere. Coetze has previously played for the Auckland Under-17 representative team. Gone from the winter training squad are Saskia Bullen, Victoria Lind and Kim Scott.

Ros Kember will join the side for pre-Christmas warm-up games but will remain at the NZ Cricket Academy in Canterbury for the next month. Kim Fraser has begun training with the squad after a stint playing in the UK.

Two players will be trimmed from the squad in early December. The remaining 13 players start the campaign to capture the Hearts' fifth consecutive State League title on December 27 and 28 with matches against the State Otago Sparks at North Harbour Stadium Oval.

The State Auckland Hearts training squad is: Rebecca Rolls (capt) (Papatoetoe),Kelly Brown (Grafton United),Shanna Coetze (Waitakere),Ingrid Cronin-Knight (Grafton United),Emily Drumm (Parnell),Kim Fraser (Grafton United),Paula Gruber (Grafton United),Kelly Hill (Parnell),Amy Hodgson (Cornwall),Ros Kember (Parnell),Elfrieda Komp (Parnell)Michelle Lynch (Cornwall),Debbie Ramsay (Cornwall),Natalee Scripps (Grafton United),Helen Watson (Grafton United).

Coach: Sarah Beaman Manager: Maria McElroy Selectors: Alison Hansen, Sarah Beaman, Wayne Mackey