Essex sign Australian Penna for women's T20 Blast

Madeline Penna scored 32 in her most recent innings for South Australia last month

Essex have signed Australian all-rounder Madeline Penna for the inaugural women's T20 Blast, which begins in May.

The 24-year-old plays for South Australia in the Women's National Cricket League and the Adelaide Strikers in the T20 Big Bash, and has also appeared for Canterbury in New Zealand.

She has scored centuries in each format and is also a handy leg-spinner, with best figures of 4-20 in the Big Bash.

"It's a brilliant opportunity for me to test myself in a new environment having played T20 cricket both at home and in New Zealand over the last few months," she said.

Essex are one of eight fully-professional tier one teams in the revamped domestic women's game, which was formerly played under a regional format.

They will play their opening T20 Blast game away to Hampshire on 30 May and will also take part in the 50-over One-Day Cup, which begins next month.

"We are delighted to have Maddie on board for the Blast," said team director Andy Tennant. "I am confident she will fit in well with our talented playing group and help us win games and challenge for T20 honours this year."