Tahlia Wilson Extends and Set to Captain for T20 Spring Challenge

A product of the Illawarra region, Wilson continues to cement her place as one of the most promising players in Australian cricket.  

Wilson has been in exceptional form, recently scoring a commanding 97 in just the second match of the season for NSW. She also emerged as the top scorer in the Australia A series against India A in the T20 format. 

Since making her professional debut while still in Year 12, Wilson has continued to break records, including a remarkable achievement in the 2023-24 season when she became the first woman to score a century and claim six dismissals in a single List A match. 

With her stellar performances, Wilson will lead the Sydney Thunder as captain for the upcoming T20 Spring Challenge.  

Speaking about her new role, Wilson said: 

"When Lisa called me and asked if I wanted to be captain, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I’ve been part of this group for five years now, and having recently extended my tenure, I’m really looking forward to leading us through the Spring Challenge." 

"I know being captain will come with its challenges, but I’m confident with the support from the more experienced players. I’m ready to be a leader in this team." 

"The Spring Challenge is a great opportunity for us to step up without our World Cup players and internationals. It’ll give me a chance to practice some of the skills I’ve been working on with Lisa." 

The T20 Spring Challenge will run over a 10-day period across Sydney and Adelaide, marking a key point in the lead-up to the Weber WBBL|10 season, which kicks off on October 27. 

With one spot remaining in Thunder’s WBBL squad, standout performances in this series could result in selection, making it an important opportunity for emerging talents. Players like Jade Allen, Ella Briscoe, Ebony Hoskin are among those looking to impress. 

Lisa Keightley, Head Coach of Sydney Thunder, believes the Spring Challenge offers valuable opportunities for both emerging and established players. 

“The series allows us to experiment with players in new roles, such as different positions in the batting order. It’s an excellent chance to assess their performance and see how they adapt,” Keightley explained. 

“We’re really focused on challenging our experienced players to expand their roles and develop in key areas we’ve identified. This competition offers everyone a chance to grow and push their limits as we head into the WBBL,” she added. 

When discussing Wilson's captaincy and contract extension, Keightley expressed strong confidence in her long-term potential, stating, "Tahlia is a player we see as part of our long-term future. We’re committed to supporting her throughout her career, and we believe she has the potential to lead this team for many years to come. For Tahlia, that journey starts now." 

T20 Spring Challenge Fixtures: 

• Oct 11: Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat | North Sydney Oval
• Oct 13: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars | Allan Border Oval 
• Oct 16: Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers | Cricket Central 
• Oct 17: Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers | Cricket Central 

Squad Announcement | Spring Challenge: Tahlia Wilson (C), Georgia Adams. Jade Allen, Sam Bates, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Ebony Hoskin, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll. Coach: Lisa Keightley

Sydney Thunder encourages all fans to support the team during this exciting free competition. For more updates, follow @thunderbbl on social media.