Photo Credit: ICC
Weber WBBL|08 breakout star and Sydney Sixers spinner Sophie Ecclestone headlines a wealth of English talent who have submitted their nominations ahead of next month’s inaugural Weber WBBL Overseas Player Draft.
Currently the number one ranked ICC T20I bowler – and tenth in the T20I All-Rounder rankings – Ecclestone has put her name forward for a second WBBL season after playing a key role in leading the Sixers to the WBBL Final last summer.
A dynamic left arm spinner, the 24-year-old is a strong retention pick option for the Sixers after her 20 scalps in WBBL|08 put her inside the top ten wicket-takers for the season.
Along with Ecclestone, a trio of English bowlers have also put their names forward for selection, including 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.
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.
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.
The Weber WBBL|09 season begins on October 19. Tickets are on sale to the general public, Monday August 21 at 12pm.
