Emma Hughes wants to make the 2020/21 season her biggest yet and a new deal with the Sydney Sixers is a major step towards achieving her dream.
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The Dubbo junior and promising seamer was part of the Sixers squad in last year's Women's Big Bash League but she didn't get the chance to take to the field.
A new two-year-deal was confirmed with the club on Monday and that, combined with being named in the NSW Breakers' squad for the first time earlier this year, has the 19-year-old primed for a massive summer.
"I'd definitely like to be able to debut for either NSW or the Sixers,' Hughes said of her goals.
The teenager, who came through the ranks at Macquarie during her time in Dubbo, has been battling some shoulder injuries in recent times but is back at work in the nets in the build-up to both the Women's National Cricket League and WBBL|06.
The next WBBL begins in mid-October with the Sixers eager to climb the ladder again after missing finals last season.
"I'm super excited to be back, training with all the girls again," Hughes said.
"It was a great environment to be in and I'm excited to be in it again.
"It's been great to hone in on all my skills and just train as hard as I can."
Hughes now plays her grade cricket with Penrith, having departed Dubbo as one of only two female players to have featured in the RSL-Whitney Cup first grade competition.
Last season with Penrith Hughes took 12 wickets at an average of 21.67, across the T20 and one-day formats.
The highlight was a match-winning 4-21 against Parramatta in February and that type of performance and the experiences she gained last season has the Sixers excited about her potential.
"She has moved to Sydney from Dubbo and it's positive that not only do we at the Sixers see her talent, but the NSW system obviously see her potential too, by offering her a full state contract with the Breakers," Sixers coach Ben Swayer said,
"Emma's had a few shoulder injuries and is working hard to make it back to full fitness for the opening rounds of the WBBL."
