Sydney Thunder have secured a major boost for Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12, with England fast bowler Lauren Bell returning to the lime green for the full season, scheduled to run from October 29 to December 5, 2026. The 25-year-old will bring international and franchise experience to a Thunder side led by Phoebe Litchfield, as the club looks to improve on its seventh-place finish last season.
Sydney Thunder collected nine points from 10 league matches in WBBL 11, winning four, losing five and having one game washed out. Bell’s return adds a proven wicket-taking option to the bowling attack, as well as a familiar face in the dressing room: she made her WBBL debut with Thunder in WBBL|09 and will now join former England teammate Heather Knight.
Lauren Bell’s international record underlines the threat she can pose. In 48 T20I appearances, she has taken 67 wickets at an average of 18.86 and an economy rate of 7.25, including a four-wicket haul. She also claimed seven wickets at the 2026 T20 World Cup and sits in the top five of the ICC’s T20I rankings. Her WBBL record with Thunder is more modest so far: one wicket at an economy rate of 7.14 across two innings.
“I love Sydney, I love the group, and we’ve got some exciting new additions since I was last here, so I can’t wait to get going with the girls,” Bell said. She added that competing in the WBBL against the world’s leading players would help her keep improving, and said she was looking forward to having Litchfield on her side after facing her in previous contests.
Bell arrives after a standout campaign for Southern Brave in The Hundred, where she claimed 19 wickets and recorded best figures of 4 for 6. She also took 12 wickets in her debut Women’s Premier League season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In the final, she shared the field with Thunder opener Georgia Voll and conceded just 19 runs from her four overs.
Thunder head coach Lisa Keightley said Bell’s ability to make an impact at different stages of an innings made her a valuable addition. “She has the ability to take wickets with the new ball, but what really stands out is how she can impact a game at different stages,” Keightley said. She also highlighted Bell’s work ethic and said having her available for the full season was a “huge boost” for the club.
Lauren Bell said her experience with England had helped her understand her own game and that she hoped to bring a “winning mentality” to the Thunder group. The team begins its WBBL 12 campaign against Melbourne Renegades at Junction Oval on October 29, with the opener scheduled for 10:10 a.m. IST.
(Quotes sourced from Sydney Thunder Press Release)
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