The Perth Scorchers have bolstered their squad for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) by bringing in Indonesia’s rising cricket star, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, as an associate rookie. Suwandewi, a standout all-rounder, has been a key player for her national team since making her international debut against Hong Kong in January 2019.
At 26 years old, Suwandewi, also known by her nickname “Tori,” joined the Scorchers under the WBBL’s associate rookie rule. This rule allows clubs to recruit players from associate cricket nations without them counting towards the 15-player main squad. Tori could be called upon to fill in for an injured domestic player or an unavailable international and could also feature as a fourth international in the playing XI.
Suwandewi’s performance on the international stage speaks volumes. In 42 Twenty20 International (T20Is), she has claimed 49 wickets at an impressive average of 8.18, maintaining a stellar economy rate of 2.97 runs per over. Her standout performance came against the Philippines, where she took 5 wickets for just 8 runs.
Reflecting on her debut WBBL contract, Suwandewi shared her excitement, “I am very excited to be joining Perth Scorchers ahead of WBBL|10, in one of the best T20 competitions in the world. The WBBL has been a competition I’ve admired for a long time, and I can’t wait to be a part of it this season. The Scorchers have been a successful team for many years, and I’m eager to get to know the group and start working with the coaches.”
Kade Harvey, the General Manager of High Performance & Elite Teams for Perth Scorchers, also expressed his delight with Suwandewi’s signing, “Her international track record with Indonesia is impressive, and we’re excited to have her join the squad. This collaboration with Indonesia Cricket is part of a larger effort to develop the game in their country, and we hope Tori’s inclusion is the first of many associate nation players who can benefit from the WBBL.”
Perth Scorchers’ Head Coach, Becky Grundy, praised both Suwandewi’s skills and character, “Tori is an incredibly talented cricketer with a bright future. She’ll bring valuable depth to our team. When I saw her play in Bali, I was thoroughly impressed by both her cricketing ability and her work ethic. Her commitment aligns perfectly with our team culture, and we look forward to her growth in the Scorchers’ environment.”
This signing marks a major milestone in the partnership between Western Australia Cricket and Persataun Indonesia Cricket, formed through a Memorandum of Understanding in January. The 18-month agreement focuses on advancing women’s cricket development in Indonesia, with long-term plans to improve the nation’s overall cricketing infrastructure. WA Cricket aims to share its expertise in areas such as athlete development, coaching, and training methods to help Indonesia reach the top ten in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 rankings within the next three years.
Perth Scorchers, who won the WBBL|07 title, will kick off their WBBL|10 season against Melbourne Stars at the WACA. With Suwandewi on board, they have further strengthened their already formidable lineup, with three local spots yet to be filled.
Perth Scorchers WBBL|10 Squad:
Sophie Devine (C), Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Hemalatha Dayalan, Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Ebony Hoskin, Amy Jones, Alana King, Carly Leeson , Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi (Associate Rookie)
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