Adelaide Strikers' investment in young home-grown talent continues with teenage pace bowler Maggie Clark signing a one-year deal to further bolster the club's bid for an historic WBBL three-peat.
The youngest member of the Australia squad that travelled to the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa last year, 17-year-old Clark is one of the most exciting prospects on the national scene.
Although still completing her final year of secondary school, Clark has been part of the recent Under-19 tri-series featuring Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Queensland.
Another member of that emerging Australia squad – left-arm pace bowler Eleanor Larosa – also signed with the Strikers earlier this year.
The talented young duo adds to the Strikers' impressive bowling depth for WBBL|10, joining Australia trio Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown and Tahlia McGrath as well as Player of the Match in last season's thrilling grand final win, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
"I'm thrilled to be joining such a successful club and can't wait to be part of the group under coach Luke Williams," Clark said.
"As a proud South Australian who grew up in the State's mid-north, I've cheered on the Strikers as they brought home the WBBL trophy for the past two summers.
"To now find myself in the squad alongside so many great players is truly a dream come true."
In addition to her recent national performances, Clark represented South Australia's Second XI in all six of their matches last season and was also named in the SA Premier Cricket Team of 2023-24 selected by the captains and coaches of each club.
A right-arm bowler and left-handed batter, Clark impressed coaching staff with her skills and maturity during the SA Women's Team's recent pre-season games on the Sunshine Coast ahead of their WNCL campaign that began last week.
"Maggie's one of a number of bright lights emerging from the State's Pathways Program and we're delighted to have her as part of our squad for WBBL|10," Strikers' dual championship-winning coach Luke Williams said.
"Her performances for both South Australia and Australia at under-19 level have been impressive, and we believe she is a player of the future.
"She and Eleanor have shown what they can do in Australia colours, and we believe it will be fantastic for their development to be part of a Strikers group that includes international players the calibre of Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Laura Wolvaardt and Smriti Mandhana."
Clark's signing completes the Strikers' playing list for WBBL|10 as they aim to become the first club to win three consecutive titles.
Their championship defence begins with a blockbuster re-match of last season's grand final against Brisbane Heat as part of a double-header at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, October 27.
Adelaide Strikers list WBBL|10: Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston, Eleanor Larosa, Katie Mack, Smriti Mandhana, Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Orla Prendergast, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt.
Strikers Memberships are now on sale with more information available at adelaidestrikers.com.au