Gumbaynggir batting allrounder Anika Learoyd has signed with Somerset County Cricket Club ahead of the upcoming English cricket season.
The NSW Breaker, Sydney Thunder and Australia 'A' representative will arrive at Somerset next month to represent the club from April to July.
Throughout her career the 23-year-old has represented the Sydney Thunder 61 times, scoring 819 runs with a best of 63 not out. She's also stepped out in sky blue for the NSW Breakers in 59 List A fixtures, amassing 1482 runs with a top score of 131.
Her performances saw her called into the Australia 'A' squad last year, where she scored 384 runs in 13 appearances across three formats.
Following her signing, Learoyd said she was excited to join the Taunton-based club.
"I've heard great things about the environment and people at Somerset," she said. "I'm buzzing to be heading over and can't wait to meet the full squad and get stuck into the season!"
Learoyd first came to prominence in 2020 after being the leading run-scorer in Cricket Australia's Under-18 National Championships, where she scored 384 runs at an average of 42.67.
Last year she was named Cricket Australia's Indigenous Cricketer of the Year in addition to leading the Breakers to their first Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) title since 2018/19 with a Player of the Match performance in the final against Queensland.
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Somerset CCC Head Coach and former Australian international, Erin Osborne, said she was pleased to have secured Learoyd's services.
"Anika is a talented young player with an immense amount of potential. She is highly thought of by her peers, and she will definitely be a valuable addition to the group both on and off the field," Osborne said.
"Although she's still young, she already has a good deal of experience. She has had a rapid rise and hopefully her upward trajectory can continue this year by contributing to Somerset winning games of cricket."
Somerset CCC Director of Talent & Women's Performance, Matt Drakeley, said Learoyd is a hugely exciting young player "with the skills and character to make a real impact in our environment".
"We believe she adds something unique to the group and will complement the talented players we already have within the squad," Drakeley said.
"Just as importantly, she's someone who we feel can continue to grow and develop within our programme, and we're looking forward to supporting her as she experiences English domestic cricket and the Somerset environment this summer."
Somerset open their Metro Bank One Day Cup season against Yorkshire on April 11 at Taunton.
