WAGGA product Rachel Trenaman is confident stepping out of her comfort zone will help her take further steps in her career after signing with Hobart for the next two Women's Big Bash League seasons.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 20-year-old has been part of Sydney Thunders' set-up since she was 15, including playing a pivotal role in their championship win last summer.
She entrenched herself in the side as an opening batsman and carried that form into a strong one day campaign for NSW Breakers, where she racked up four half centuries in seven innings and averaged 43.
Trenaman said departing Thunder was a tough decision to make after their success last season.
"I've spent the last five seasons with the Thunder since WBBL02 as a rookie. I'm excited to work in a new environment and progress my game further," she said.
"I've played all my cricket through the NSW system, so to work with people who potentially have a different perspective on things (will be good), I'm excited to progress my game further.
"Coming off contract it seemed like a good time to do it, but at the same time I love the Thunder nation and everything they stood for, the impact and connection they had with the community.
"It's a bit bittersweet but I'm still looking forward to the opportunity."
Trenaman has long been earmarked as a star of the future. She captained Australia's under-19 side aged just 16 and has also earned Australia A selection.
She derived plenty of confidence from not only playing every game for the Thunder last summer, but also being trusted with opening the batting.
IN OTHER NEWS
"I finished the WBBL season feeling like I could really hold my own, and it's probably the first time in my career I've felt like that," she said.
"I always felt like I didn't quite belong, but now I feel like I can compete. Having a string of 14 games playing (last season) helped, I think I'd only played five or six games for the Thunder prior to that.
"I'd been fortunate to open for the Breakers the season before and surprisingly I loved the opportunity. I'd never really considered myself an opener, but to be given the chance to make an immediate impact at the top of the order I really cherished.
"The consistency did my game wonders, and it will be good to continue that momentum."
The Hurricanes identified strengthening their batting as a key factor in being a force this summer.
"Having chatted with Sal (Salliann Briggs, Hobart coach) she's pretty inciteful and they've got a lot of good players there," Trenaman said.
"I've played some of my cricket with (Hurricanes') Molly Strano and she's an international player, and some of the international players they haven't announced yet I'm super keen to learn off."
Trenaman will continue to play for the Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League season.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters