Northern Territory Cricket is pleased to announce the following players have been selected to represent the NT Women’s Strike as part of a three-match series against the Afghan Refugee Women’s XI team.
The Afghan Refugee Women’s XI Tour of Darwin (May 23-30) will include a 40-over and two T20 matches at DXC Arena, marking the first time the NT has fielded a representative Women’s Strike side since 2019.
The return of the NT Women’s Strike reflects the continued growth of women’s and girls’ cricket across the Territory, highlighted by participation growth across DDCC and ASCA competitions, the introduction of a Girls’ High Performance Academy, NT representation at the U16 Cricket Australia National Cricket Championships, and new dedicated women’s and girls’ entry-level cricket programs.
The squad will feature four members of the NT Girl’s Academy in Jordi O’Toole (PINT), Ekam Dhillon (TVCC), Joanna Pickett (TVCC) and Naomi McMahon (Palmerston); all of whom recently featured at the U16 National Championships in Launceston, with O’Toole finishing as the competitions (across all teams) leading wicket taker with 14 wickets.
Sanjana Akula (Nightcliff) and Hannah Armstrong (Southern Districts) have been selected after being named in last season’s DDCC Women’s Team of the Season (alongside O’Toole and Pickett); while Phoebe Murphy (TVCC), Eliza Jagger (TVCC), Monet Hunter (Waratah) and Krystelle Jones (TVCC) have been rewarded for their respective starts to the 2026 DDCC season.
Wests’ Bronte Stray has been named captain of the NT Women’s Strike, recognising her leadership and consistent performances across several seasons in the ASCA women’s competition. Fellow Alice Springs representative Erica Langley (Rovers Works) has also been selected in the squad, with Eliza Jagger named Vice Captain and Ekam Dhillon included in the leadership group for personal development.
Young Academy members Abbie Halvorsen (PINT) and Sophie Cameron (Palmerston) will be included as development players throughout the series, providing an opportunity to experience the NT Women’s Strike environment, train alongside senior players and gain exposure to the standards expected at representative level.
The side will be coached by Rhys French (NT Cricket), with Julie Page (Waratah) providing support as the Team Mentor.
NT Women’s Strike Squad:
|
Sanjana Akula
|
Nightcliff CC |
|
Hannah Armstrong
|
Southern Districts CC |
| Sophie Cameron | Palmerston CC |
| Ekam Dhillon | Tracy Village CC |
| Abbie Halvorsen | PINT CC |
| Monet Hunter | Waratah CC |
| Eliza Jagger | Tracy Village CC |
| Krystelle Jones |
Tracy Village CC
|
| Erica Langley |
Rovers Works CC
|
| Naomi McMahon |
Palmerston CC
|
| Phoebe Murphy |
Tracy Village CC
|
| Jordi O’Toole |
PINT CC
|
| Joanna Pickett |
Tracy Village CC
|
| Bronte Stray (C) |
Wests CC
|
Coach: Rhys French
Mentor: Julie Page
Fixtures
Sunday 24th May, 10am: DXC Arena (40 overs)
Monday 25th May, 5pm: DXC Arena (20 overs)
Wednesday 27th May, 5pm: DXC Arena (20 overs)