Otago Cricket are excited to announce that Paige Loggenberg and Saffron Wilson have been offered the final two SBS Bank Otago Sparks contracts for the 2022/23 season.

Otago welcomes the pair as first-time contracted players, completing the squad of 12 contracted players for the 2022/23 Sparks season.

Loggenberg and Wilson played in the Sparks team that brought home the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield having played in the final in Queenstown.

Hard-hitting batter Loggenberg has been a stand-out performer in Otago’s age-group programmes. She made her Sparks debut late in the 2021/22 season at a Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match in Oamaru. Representing Otago in the Women’s U19 National Tournament in Lincoln last year she finished as fourth top run scorer, as well as claiming the best tournament batting average (71.3).

Coach Craig Cumming commented that it is always exciting to offer contracts to players for the first time. Paige is a player with huge potential with the bat and ball and we are looking forward to seeing her continue her development.

Another new face to the contracted list, Wilson has been part of the Sparks team for the past 2 years. To date, she has played 12 games, debuting in the 2020/21 season. A genuine allrounder, she can bat anywhere in the top 7 and offers a strong seam bowling option.

Cumming said that Saffron moved to Otago for study after growing up in Nelson and has shown amazing commitment to be available for the Sparks. She offers the Sparks skills as a genuine allrounder, and we are looking forward to watching her continue to grow.

GM Performance Steve Martin said that he was delighted that the contract process had now been completed in what is an exciting time for women’s cricket with the new contract structure. With Head Coach Craig Cumming in place as well, we are looking forward to the start of the season and to another great campaign for the SBS Bank Otago Sparks.

The Sparks will begin their official pre-season preparations for the 2022/23 summer in early October.

Otago Sparks 2022-23:

*Gemma Adams

**Suzie Bates

Emma Black

Caitlin Blakely

**Eden Carson

Kate Ebrahim

*Olivia Gain

Polly Inglis

Bella James

**Hayley Jensen

Felicity Leydon-Davis

*Paige Loggenberg

Molly Loe

Sophie Oldershaw

*Saffron Wilson

*Indicates new contract offer

**Indicates NZC contract

*ENDS*

Article added: Tuesday 27 September 2022