Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
The skippers are leading the way, with the captains of five of the highest ranked international teams putting their names forward for selection in the inaugural Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft.
Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Suné Luus (South Africa), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka) have all nominated for the Draft on Sunday, September 3.
Of the five nominees, Luus is the only player not eligible for a retention pick. If selected, WBBL|09 will mark the Proteas captain’s first appearance in the Big Bash in four years, having last represented the Brisbane Heat in WBBL|04.
In contrast, the Melbourne Renegades will be faced with a tough decision as Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews and Chamari Athapaththu are all eligible for retention. After captaining the side last season, Sophie Devine is able to be retained by the Perth Scorchers.
- Harmanpreet Kaur, a stylish all-rounder has led her team to many victories on the international stage. Forced to withdraw from WBBL|08 due to a back complaint, the Indian captain will be looking to make a big return to the competition this season if selected.
- Sophie Devine is currently ranked fourth in the world for T20 batting and sixth as an all-rounder. The current record holder for the fastest century in a women’s T20 (36 balls), Devine’s aggressive batting style and impressive bowling variations have made her a force to be reckoned with.
- Suné Luus, a powerful bowling all-rounder who led her team all the way to the final of the 2023 T20 World Cup. If selected, WBBL|09 will be only the second time the Proteas captain has appeared in the competition after playing for the Brisbane Heat in WBBL|04.
- Hayley Matthews, currently ranked second in the world as a T20 all-rounder and sixth for bowling. Matthews boasts a formidable T20 record, with 1716 runs at a strike rate of 105.08 and 86 wickets in 85 matches.
- Chamari Athapaththu is ranked in the top ten in the world for T20 batters. She is well known for her 178 not out against Australian in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, the second-highest individual score in Women’s World Cup history.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“We are thrilled to announce the nominations of Harmanpreet Kaur, Sophie Devine, Suné Luus, Hayley Matthews, and Chamari Athapaththu for the inaugural WBBL Overseas Player Draft. These players have not only excelled as international captains but have also left an indelible mark on the game of cricket and we are excited at the prospect of these players showcasing their talents in the upcoming WBBL season.
“We thank these players for making themselves available for the upcoming season and look forward to announcing more nominations for the Big Bash Overseas Player Drafts in the coming weeks.”
The Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft on September 3 promises to be an exciting event as teams vie for the chance to secure the world’s best players in their squads, adding an extra level of competitiveness to the League.
About Retention Picks
Players in both the WBBL & BBL Overseas Player Drafts will be an eligible retention player if they fit any of the following criteria:
- Have been in a Big Bash team squad for a minimum of two seasons and haven’t been contracted to another team since
- Have been in a Big Bash team squad the previous season
- Was in a team squad last season but did not play in the starting 13 and have been approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee
- Is otherwise approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee due to exceptional circumstances
WEBER WBBL|09 & KFC BBL|13
The Weber WBBL|09 season begins on October 19. View the full schedule here.
The KFC BBL|13 season will begin on December 7. View the full schedule here.
Fans are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest information on the Big Bash seasons, including tickets and, memberships and the Drafts via our website and the Australian Cricket Family. Not already an ACF member? Sign up here.
