The future of women’s cricket in Otago looks bright, with three promising players being awarded contracts for the first time ahead of the 2023-24 domestic season.  

Chloe Deerness, Louisa Kotkamp and PJ Watkins will all look to make an impression for the SBS Bank Otago Sparks, after receiving their first domestic contracts. 

Deerness, who has featured in several games for the SBS Bank Otago Sparks, who last year received the Otago Sparks Rising Star award, has secured her first contract.    

Joining Deerness is Southlander Louisa Kotkamp, who represented New Zealand at this year's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa and will provide the Sparks with pace in their bowling attack. 

UK-born 19-year-old left-arm pace bowler PJ Watkins, who has relocated to New Zealand, and is motivated to one day represent the WHITE FERNS has also received her first Otago Sparks contract.  

Watkins is relishing the opportunity presented to her with the Otago Sparks.  

“I am excited to have the opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team, who are looking to blend experience and exciting young players so that we can play exciting cricket and challenge hard in the coming season,” said Watkins.  

Otago Sparks Head Coach Craig Cumming is looking forward to the young signings to make an impact this season.  

“It is always an exciting time when players are offered their first contract to play for the Otago Sparks. It is rewarding to see Chloe’s and Louisa’s development through our Otago Cricket pathway programmes. We are very excited to welcome PJ into the Sparks set up. PJ has committed to wanting to become a WHITEFERN and offers a very rare skill set of being a left arm pace bowler and hard-hitting batter which is a welcome addition to our squad,” said Cumming.  

Missing from the 2022-2023 contract list and therefore not contracted ahead of the 2023-2024 season are Kate Ebrahim and Saffron Wilson. Kate Ebrahim was unable to commit to a full domestic contract with Otago this season 

The makeup of the Otago Sparks will include WHITE FERNS Suzie Bates, Eden Carson and Hayley Jensen who each received a New Zealand Cricket central contract in June. 

SBS Bank Otago Sparks 2023-24 Contracts 

Gemma Adams 

Suzie Bates** 

Emma Black 

Caitlin Blakely 

Eden Carson** 

Chloe Deerness* 

Olivia Gain 

Polly Inglis 

Bella James 

Hayley Jensen** 

Louisa Kotkamp* 

Felicity Leydon-Davis 

Paige Loggenberg 

Molly Loe 

Sophie Oldershaw 

PJ Watkins* 

*New Otago Sparks contract 

**New Zealand Cricket central contract 

Ends 

Article added: Friday 18 August 2023