Somerset sign Anika Learoyd
Somerset County Cricket Club is pleased to be able to announce the signing of Australia ‘A’ International, Anika Learoyd.
The 23-year-old will arrive at the Cooper Associates County Ground on April 17th and will be available for selection until July 17th, making her available for Vitality Blast Finals Day should Somerset qualify.
The right-handed batter, who also bowls leg spin, has featured in 61 T20 matches for Sydney Thunder, scoring 819 runs with a best of 63 not out. She has also represented New South Wales in 59 List A fixtures, amassing 1482 runs with a top score of 131.
Her outstanding performances saw her called into the Australia ‘A’ squad in 2025 and she has thrived in the environment. In 13 appearances across the three formats, she has scored 384 runs.
Anika first came to prominence in 2020 when she was the leading run-scorer in the Cricket Australia Under-18 National Championships with 384 runs at an average of 42.67. That year also saw her make her debut for New South Wales Breakers before signing her first contract in the WBBL with Sydney Thunder.
2025 saw her named Cricket Australia’s Indigenous Cricketer of the Year in addition to inspiring the Breakers to their first WNCL title since 2018/19 with a Player of the Match performance in the final against Queensland.
After signing for Somerset, Anika said: “I’ve heard great things about the environment and people at Somerset. I’m buzzing to be heading over and can’t wait to meet the full squad and get stuck into the season!”
Somerset CCC Head Coach, Erin Osborne is pleased to have secured the services of the Australia ‘A’ International. “Anika is a talented young player with an immense amount of potential. She is highly thought of by her peers, and she will definitely be a valuable addition to the group both on and off the field.
“Although she’s still young, she already has a good deal of experience. She has had a rapid rise and hopefully her upward trajectory can continue this year by contributing to Somerset winning games of cricket.”
Somerset CCC Director of Talent & Women’s Performance, Matt Drakeley added: “Anika is a hugely exciting young player with the skills and character to make a real impact in our environment.
“We believe she adds something unique to the group and will complement the talented players we already have within the squad. Just as importantly, she’s someone who we feel can continue to grow and develop within our programme, and we’re looking forward to supporting her as she experiences English domestic cricket and the Somerset environment this summer.”
