Cricket Hong Kong is delighted to announce that women’s national player Emma Wing-Ki Lai will join Women’s Big Bash League franchise Perth Scorchers early 2017 as part of Cricket Australia’s partnership with the ICC.

Emma will be joining the likes of Australian star Nicole Bolton, New Zealand’ Women’s Captain Suzie Bates and England player Katherine Brunt along with other quality cricketers in the Scorchers squad.

The experienced Hong Konger will arrive at Perth a week earlier to play and train with a local club side prior to joining the Perth Scorchers on January 11, 2017. She will be involved in the WBBL franchise’s competition and will train, join in on match days, team meetings and potentially put her hand up for selection, since the rookie associate players are not considered overseas players.

"Joining a foreign club for the first time, I feel both anxious and excited,” said Emma Lai. “Australian cricketers Sarah Coyte and Kristen Beams came to Hong Kong and played in the Hong Kong Premier league last May. They gave us a taste of what Australian women’s cricket is like. I am delighted that I can experience Australian cricket first-hand.”

"I am also excited to be able to improve my skills and to interact with cricket-loving kids in Australia,” added Lai.

CHK Director of Cricket and Women’s Head Coach Charlie Burke is also very excited about this opportunity, “The ICC has a great relationship with Cricket Australia and have offered associate nations to nominate their best Women’s players to be considered in the WBBL Associate rookie program. Last year we were fortunate enough to have Mariko Hill and this year Emma Lai has been picked up by the Perth Scorchers.”

“Apart from playing cricket, she will also work with the WACA’s Game Development team and learn what they do to develop, recruit, retain and educate at grassroots level. Hopefully this is something Emma can bring back to Hong Kong in her role as a Cricket Officer and Women’s Development Coach.”

“It again shows the respect we have not only in associate cricket but in cricket globally. This not only gives an individual an opportunity to develop herself but also puts Hong Kong Cricket on the map,” added Burke.