Hailing from Dalby in regional Queensland, Johnston is one of the sport’s brightest young prospects. After being a member of the Queensland Fire squad that won the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) last season, Johnston has been rewarded this year with not only a Queensland state contract, but a WBBL contract with the Hurricanes for the Weber WBBL|07.
A powerful all-rounder, last year Johnston scored in excess of 800 runs at a strike rate of 100+ in the Katherine Raymont Shield (Cricket’s Queensland’s Premier League competition), earning herself the Kat Smith Medal for the competition’s best young player in the process.
“I’m really excited to secure my first WBBL contract with the Hurricanes,” Johnston said. “With the fact that the competition is going to be starting down in Tasmania, it really is going to be such a great experience getting around the group, meeting everyone, and just learning as much as I can.”
Meanwhile, Genford hails from Sydney, and is a promising young pace bowler who will not only add to the depth of the Hurricanes bowling group but comes highly recommended as a great team player both on and off the field.
“It really is a bit of a dream come true,”Genford added. “I know that is a bit of a cliched thing to say, but just like every cricketer, I just want to learn as much as I can and take in the experiences that the game brings me, so signing with a WBBL club like the Hurricanes is a great step on that journey.”
Johnston and Genford will join Nicola Carey, Mignon du Preez, Maisy Gibson, Sasha Moloney, Rachel Priest, Chloe Rafferty, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa and Tayla Vlaeminck as players contracted to the Hurricanes for the Weber WBBL|07.
This means the Hurricanes now have one final contract to announce prior to the season starting – an international player that will be announced next week.
In other player news, unfortunately Rachel Trenaman has suffered a tear to her Anterior Cruciate Ligament during a training session with the NSW Breakers, and will miss the tournament in its entirety.
“I’m gutted that I sustained such a major injury so early in the pre-season and am disappointed I won’t be able to experience what it’s like playing as a Hurricane this year,” Trenaman said.
“I am, however, still looking forward to being around the group and contributing off-field during the tournament’s initial matches in Tassie, and am really looking forward to being fit and raring to go come WBBL|08 next year!”