Worcestershire Women Rapids have pulled off a coup in signing highly promising Australian batsman Chloe Piparo as their overseas player for the 2016 campaign.
Piparo – a right handed bat – is still only 21 but has a fine pedigree already under her belt and her arrival at New Road will only help to strengthen the flourishing Rapids squad.
She will take over the overseas role for the Rapids from last summer's signing, New Zealand new ball bowler Sian Ruck.
Piparo will link up with the Rapids from May through until at least August – and possibly longer – after Cricket Australia and the Western Australia Cricket Association approved the move.
She will be available to play in the NatWest T20 and Royal London 50 over competitions for the Rapids and will also play a prominent role in the Worcestershire Cricket Board's community projects aimed at inspiring girls to take up cricket.
Most recently Piparo was a member of the Perth Scorchers side which reached the semi-finals of the Women's Big Bash.
Piparo played in the narrow eight run defeat against Sydney Thunder alongside England international Kathy Brunt who has worked in the past in a coaching capacity for the Worcestershire Cricket Board Limited.
She also plays for Western Fury – the representative women's cricket team of Western Australia based in Perth whose home ground is the WACA.
Piparo has gained additional invaluable experience playing alongside England captain Charlotte Edwards who also skippers the Fury.
Worcestershire Cricket Board Women's Cricket Development officer Jason Yip said: "I'm over the moon with signing Chloe. Not only is she a great cricketer, she is fantastic off the field and in the community and inspiring girls to play cricket.
"It is a great acquisition for us. She has got a lot of skill and expertise and is a rising star, absolutely.
"Sian Ruck brought a great level of experience and that is what we were looking to replicate this year as well.
"Chloe will arrive at the beginning of May and, depending on the domestic season in Australia and commitments over there, she will either leave in August or September."
Yip says Piparo is relishing the prospect of playing in English conditions to help with furthering her international aspirations.
He said: "She will get to learn how English pitches play, maybe have a bit of an insight into some of the rising stars in English women's cricket.
"I guess for a young person on the rise, any info about your future foes will be valuable."
Piparo scored her maiden century at first grade level for Rockingham-Mandurah in 2010-2011.
She also showed her quality when hitting a match-winning 95 not out for the Fury against Queensland in 2013 when chasing down a 265 target.
Piparo has captained Australia Women at Under-18 level, scoring a century for them against Papa New Guinea.
