Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers have bolstered their Weber Women’s Big Bash League squad at the inaugural WBBL|09 Draft, securing captain Sophie Devine and dynamic batter Danni Wyatt for the upcoming season.
Devine returns for her fourth season in orange after being retained with the Scorchers’ Platinum selection (pick two, matching Melbourne Renegades’ bid).
The powerful allrounder is among the competition’s most admired leaders, renowned for her strong interpersonal qualities and excellent tactical nous.
These traits were consistently on show when Devine became Perth’s first championship-winning skipper in WBBL|07.
She finished that campaign with 442 runs at 34, including two half-centuries and a memorable century against Sydney Thunder in Launceston.
Crowned Player of the Tournament in WBBL|05 and WBBL|06, Devine sits third on the competition’s list for runs scored, compiling 3,258 runs (three centuries, 19 half-centuries) including 1,084 for the Scorchers.
Additionally, Devine has claimed 84 wickets at 23.29 (13th all-time) bowling her versatile medium pace at all stages of the innings.
Perth added another dynamic batter with its second selection, taking England international Danni Wyatt in the Gold round (pick 11).
The experienced right-hander has compiled 1,608 runs at 26.36 from 68 WBBL games, placing her 21st on the WBBL all-time run-scoring list.
On the international stage, Wyatt has represented England 254 times (One Test, 105 ODIs, 148 T20Is) and demonstrated composure and creativity batting in multiple positions.
Wyatt also bowls useful off-spin, collecting 26 WBBL wickets at 22.34 during previous stints with Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades.
The Scorchers opted to pass in the Silver and Bronze rounds, with the option to sign a third international in the coming days.
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Speaking post-draft, Perth Scorchers Head Coach Becky Grundy said:
“It was incredibly difficult (deciding whether to retain Sophie Devine or Marizanne Kapp) and, to be honest, we’ve flipped from one to the other for a period of time.
“Ultimately, it came down to leadership and the captaincy. It’s such a pivotal role in T20 cricket in particular. That’s ultimately what split the two, but it was an incredibly difficult decision, and I’m actually really sad to lose Marizanne.
“We’re rapt to be able to have someone of Danni’s quality in orange. She’s shown in international cricket her ability to float up and down the order so there’s flexibility there (with Wyatt’s role).”
Speaking on Fox Cricket, Sophie Devine said:
“I am absolutely stoked to be back at the Scorchers.
“The decision … to give up Marizanne Kapp, I would have loved to have stuck with her as well, but I’m hopeful we can do all the way this season.
“I absolutely love the WBBL. I’m fortunate to have been involved since its inception and it continues to get better and better.”
