Photo Credit: ICC
A wealth of English talent, led by the international captain and the world’s best T20 bowler, have been nominated for the inaugural Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft.
English captain Heather Knight is looking to make a return to the competition this summer after missing WBBL|08 due to injury. Eligible for retention with the Sydney Thunder, if selected the upcoming season will be Knight’s seventh in the WBBL.
Sophie Ecclestone, currently ranked first in the ICC T20I Bowling and tenth in the T20I All-Rounder rankings, has put her name forward for a second WBBL season. A dynamic left arm spinner, Ecclestone is a strong retention pick option for the Sydney Sixers after her 20 wickets in WBBL|08 helped them reach The Final.
Along with Ecclestone, a formidable trio of English bowlers have put their names forward for selection; Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell and Issy Wong. Glenn (who is ranked fourth in the ICC T20I Bowling rankings), is looking to play her second WBBL season while Bell is hoping to make her first appearance in the competition. Issy Wong, who is eligible for retention with the Hobart Hurricanes, could potentially make her debut with the team this season after having to withdraw ahead of WBBL|08 due to injury.
The forthcoming Draft has also been electrified by nominations from some of England’s most exceptional batting talents. After scoring an incredible 208 runs in the first innings of the recent Ashes Test and becoming the first women to hit a century in The Hundred, top order batter and potential Sydney Thunder retention pick, Tammy Beaumont has put her name forward for the Draft. Beaumont’s opening partner Emma Lamb has also nominated for what will potentially be her first ever WBBL season.
One of England’s top T20 batters and potential Brisbane Heat retention pick Danielle Wyatt is hoping to return for another WBBL season as are Lauren Winfield-Hill and Alice Capsey who are both eligible retention picks for the Melbourne Stars.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said:
“We are extremely excited by these nominations. We saw the immense strength and depth of talent the English side has in the Women’s Ashes series earlier in the year, and we are excited so many of those players, including their captain, have put their names forward for consideration in the Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft.
“With less than three weeks until the Draft, the anticipation is growing, and we know our domestic players and clubs alike are keen to see which top international talent will be Drafted to their team lists.”
The inaugural Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft is fast approaching, set to be broadcast on Fox Cricket on September 3. Further details including additional nominations and the Platinum player list will be released in the coming weeks.
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.
