The Sydney Sixers have bolstered their squad depth ahead of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 11 with the recommitment of Mathilda Carmichael for her third season in Sixers colours.
A reliable performer over the past decade, Carmichael brings a wealth of experience to the team. Born and raised in New South Wales, she initially starred in junior hockey, earning a spot with the Australian Hockeyroos, before pivoting to professional cricket in Western Australia.
She spent seven seasons with the Perth Scorchers, where she was part of their inaugural WBBL championship side, before returning home to join the Sixers ahead of WBBL 09.
At 31, Carmichael has already played 62 WBBL matches and amassed just over 400 runs. She also impressed in Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) last season, scoring 344 runs, ranking among Western Australia’s top performers.
Sixers General Manager Rachael Haynes expressed enthusiasm about retaining Carmichael, saying, “We’re extremely lucky to have a number of terrific, experienced players who set the standard for our younger players, and Tilly is an outstanding example of that.
“Tilly brings versatility to our batting unit with the ability to move up or down the order and perform numerous roles. She’s shown that she is able to adapt to a situation as needed and provide a cool head who can find runs in difficult situations and finish games.
“We want to keep good, hard-working people at our club, and Tilly is a player who embodies the professionalism and values that make our club strong. Her knowledge and experience is unbeatable for our group.”
Carmichael herself shared her excitement about the upcoming season, “I’m really excited to be back with the Sixers and looking forward to what will be another great year in a really challenging competition. We know how competitive the WBBL is, and I can’t wait to get back out there with this group and continue to push ourselves.
“Having four home matches at North Sydney Oval is something I’m especially looking forward to. It’s such a special ground for us and always creates a brilliant atmosphere with our fans. Hopefully we can make the most of that home support, put in some strong performances, and do our best to challenge for a spot in the finals this season.”
Carmichael’s signing leaves just two domestic spots still to be filled on the Sixers’ roster for WBBL 11. The team will kick off their campaign against Carmichael’s former side, the Perth Scorchers, in Perth on Sunday, November 9.
