The Melbourne Stars have officially bolstered their squad ahead of the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 season, locking in 19-year-old rising star Zoe Samuel. The highly talented right-arm medium fast all-rounder has put pen to paper with the club, marking a major career milestone as she prepares to step onto the Women’s Big Bash League stage for the very first time.
Samuel’s signing comes on the back of an eye-catching development trajectory across domestic cricket. During her debut Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) campaign with Victoria, she featured in 12 List-A matches, highlighted by a top score of 33 off 24 balls and best bowling figures of 3/52.
Across senior domestic appearances, she has compiled 104 runs at an average of 17.33 alongside taking 8 wickets with an impressive bowling average of 18.88. She also gained valuable short-format experience in the T20 Spring Challenge for the Melbourne Renegades, delivering a standout spell of 2/15, and recently made waves by smashing 43 runs off just 19 balls at a staggering strike rate of 226.3 in her T20 Max opener.
Melbourne Stars General Manager James Rosengarten expressed his excitement over adding one of Victoria’s top emerging talents. Highlighting her competitiveness, Rosengarten noted that Samuel is a skilled and consistent bowler who will add vital seam-up depth to the bowling attack while simultaneously offering valuable lower-order power with the bat. Her multi-dimensional skillset makes her an ideal long-term prospect as the Stars shape their core squad.
With Samuel becoming the 10th player contracted to the Stars for the WBBL 12 season, she joins a formidable roster alongside marquee international and domestic players including Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth, Amy Jones, and Sophie Day. Five additional signings are expected to be unveiled soon as the Melbourne Stars finalize their preparation for the season opener at Junction Oval on Thursday, October 29.
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