Dubbed the "Kid from Kapunda", 19-year-old Darcie Brown is returning to her home region as an international cricketing sensation, ready to thrill locals with her bowling prowess.
The right-arm quick has been described as one of the most exciting young talents in the nation and joins the Adelaide Strikers when they take on Sydney Thunder at Nuriootpa Centennial Park on 13 November.
Darcie, who made her T20 international and ODI debut last year, says returning to Nuriootpa following the Striker's last visit back in 2019, is "pretty special" despite feeling a little anxious.
"I was running drinks last time and I knew so many people in the crowd….I'm actually pretty nervous about playing to be honest!" Darcie admits.
"I've obviously trained a lot more since then and I am looking forward to it, I just think it's more nerve wracking when you play in front of people you are friends with."
Nerves aside, home is where her heart is and she is eager to perform her best in the region in which her sporting talents were discovered and nurtured.
"It is super exciting," she says of the November match.
"It will promote the women's game a lot more in our area and hopefully more girls and boys come out and play cricket."
And Nuriootpa crowds can expect to see plenty of fast paced action if Darcie has her way.
"Hopefully I get a couple of wickets and we actually win - that would top it off," she adds.
"If we win, hopefully lots of the kids will stay around and get some autographs from some of the girls. That would be pretty cool."
Darcie's return to the Barossa comes after earning a baggy green and clocking up some impressive cricketing moments.
"I reckon either winning the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal or winning the World Cup are my highlights so far," says Darcie.
"Growing up I watched the Comm. Games and didn't think cricket was going to be part of that… It's cool to be on the podium with the girls and get presented with our medals."
The Adelaide Strikers' are fired up for a WBBL series victory, especially after last year's disappointing loss in the final, and Darcie is urging supporters at Nuriootpa to help spur them to success.
"It would be pretty cool to see all the crowd dressed in blue!" she says.
"To have people cheering us on will lift the girls so much more and give us the extra edge.
"Our side is pretty similar to last year and we've got a few pretty cool inclusions like Diandra Dottin and a couple of others…hopefully we can go one better!"
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