Australian International returns home to WA

After four standout seasons with Tasmania, Graham returns home to Western Australia to reunite with the team where her cricketing journey began. The 28-year-old will add significant experience to WA’s lineup, having made 78 WNCL appearances (44 WA, 34 Tasmania) during her time as a professional.

A product of the WA pathway system, Graham made her domestic debut for Western Australia in 2011–12 and quickly developed into one of the country’s most reliable and versatile performers. 

Known for her powerful batting, consistent seam bowling, and calm presence under pressure, A breakout season in 2016-17 saw Graham crowned the winner of the Zoe Goss Medal for WA’s best performed player, putting her name firmly in the sights of national selectors.

The then 20-year-old compiled 208 runs at 34.66 with two half-centuries including a top score of 73, while her crafty medium-pacers allowed her to be a reliable wicket-taker at all stages of the innings.

After years of consistency in black and gold, Graham received a maiden national call-up in October 2019, when she made her One-Day International debut against Sri Lanka at North Sydney Oval. 

She moved to Tasmania ahead of the 2020–21 season, where she played a key role in their WNCL success, while continuing to make strides at the international level.

Her move to Tasmania proved fruitful, with Graham playing a key role in back-to-back WNCL titles and continuing to push her case for higher honours. 

Graham became the 59th woman to represent her country in T20I cricket, making her debut during Australia’s white-ball tour of India in December 2022.

Her right-arm seamers made an instant impact on the international stage, taking 3-22 off her four overs as Australia recorded a nine-wicket victory. 

Graham went on to make history later in the series, becoming only the second Australian woman to take a T20I hat-trick after capturing the wickets of Devika Vaidya, Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh in three consecutive deliveries.

The signing of Graham begins an exciting week of announcements for the WA women’s program, with the full state contract list to be announced on Thursday 15 May.

Reflecting on her move back to Perth, Graham said:

“I am obviously really excited to be coming back home to Perth and returning to the program that provided me so many opportunities in the early stages of my cricketing journey.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Tasmania and will always look back at that part of my career with the fondest memories, but I can’t wait to start my next chapter in the West.

“WA have such a talented playing group and have been building nicely over the past couple of seasons, I am looking forward to getting to work and hopefully being part of more success for WA in the near future.”

Quotes attributable to WA Cricket General Manager – High Performance & Elite Teams Kade Harvey: 

“We are really pleased to welcome Heather home to WA after a successful time in Tasmania, winning multiple WNCL titles. 

“Heather was a key figure in our 2019-20 WNCL championship and has since gained valuable overseas and international experience. 

“Heather is a quality person who will bring competitiveness, experience and leadership to our developing squad.”