Paula Flannery has won the job of captaining the Canterbury women's team this season.

The CLEAR White Fern from last year's CricInfo Women's World Cup victory has been named as the result of last season's captain Lisa Astle being unavailable.

Flannery brings a wealth of experience to the captaincy role for the State Canterbury Magicians. Her tenacious approach, and determination to dominate resulted in her selection in the CLEAR White Ferns.

Flannery is the youngest of six children and comes from a strong Central Otago sporting family. Before turning her hand to cricket she played both softball and hockey. In hockey she represented Canterbury in 1994 and 1997 and New Zealand Under-21 in 1994.

Backyard cricket with her brothers instilled in her a passion for the game.

She has been a consistent performer in the strong Canterbury women's side since being selected in 1995/96. She has dominated club cricket batting over a number of seasons with the Lancaster Park-Woolston Club.

Selected for New Zealand A in 2000, her performances caught the eye of the selectors who then selected her in the CLEAR White Ferns team, which was victorious in winning the prestigious World Cup.

She was selected for the White Ferns Tour to India, which was subsequently cancelled. Flannery is delighted with the appointment and expressed an acknowledgement of the thanks to her employer A J Day Opinion Trust for all the support they have given allowing her to achieve her cricket goals.

The State Canterbury Magicians squad is as follows: Paula Flannery (captain), Haidee Tiffen (vice-captain), Nicola Payne, Fiona Fraser, Emily Travers, Sarah Burke, Hannah Rae, Helen Daly, Beth McNeill, Kirsty Craig, Vanessa Lord, Jo Strachan, Maria Fahey, Selena Charteris, Delwyn Brownlee, Rebecca Steele, Jane Maley. Coach: Vicki Burtt, manager: Kay Gilray.

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