Sydney Thunder is one of the eight teams that will feature in the seventh edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The WBBL starts from October 14. The defending champions have a strong squad of 15, out of which three are overseas players, including the Indian duo of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma and England’s Isabelle Wong.
Squad: Rachael Haynes (captain), Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jessica Davidson, Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Smriti Mandhana, Kate Peterson, Olivia Porter, Deepti Sharma, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson, Isabelle Wong
Squad analysis
Rachael Haynes:
Australia’s vice-captain was supposed to lead Sydney Thunder. However, she has withdrawn from the tournament because of the travel restrictions which will not allow her to spend time with her family. Haynes became a parent to her first child, who was born on October 1.
Samantha Bates:
The slow left arm spinner represents Tasmania at the domestic level. She has also played for Australia A. The finger spinner has been with the Thunder from the very beginning. She has featured in 75 WBBL matches and picked up 71 wickets in as many innings.
Hannah Darlington:
She made her international debut for Australia against India during the recently concluded multi-format series. The right arm quick has been impressive. She has good variations in her kitty and can vary her pace well.
Jessica Davidson:
The teenage pace sensation has been signed by Sydney Thunder to play her forst ever WBBL. The New South Wales player has good pace and bouncers in her armoury.
Corinne Hall:
The experienced all-rounder is a right hand bat and right arm off spinner. She plays her domestic cricket for Tasmania, having also played for New South Wales. Prior to joining Thunder, she was with Hobart Hurricanes.
Sammy-Jo Johnson:
She is a talented all-rounder. She can open the batting as well as open the bowling. The right arm seamer had a big impact with the ball last season after her move from Brisbane Heat with 22 wickets. She also played for the Trent Rockets in the Hundred where she finished as the joint second-leading wicket-taker.
Anika Learoyd:
She is a middle order bat, who plays for New South Wales at the domestic level. She made her WBBL debut last season, featuring in a couple of matches. However she didn’t get a chance to bat.
Phoebe Litchfield:
She is a left hand bat and right arm leg spinner. She has been a part of Australia A squad. She plays her domestic cricket for New South Wales. This will be her third season with the Thunder. She has played 25 matches and has scored 360 runs in 23 innings, including a half century.
Smriti Mandhana:
The stylish southpaw from India is world number 3 T20I batter in women’s cricket. The opening bat is a treat to watch. She has some fluent cricketing shots in her armoury. She has been in good form and given that she just played a multi-format series against Australia in Australia will help her going into the WBBL | 07. She was earlier with Brisbane Heat.
Kate Peterson:
She is a fast bowling all-rounder. She can swing the ball well and cause trouble for the opposition. She was signed for the Thunder prior to WBBL | 06. She featured in one of the matches last season, playing against Perth Scorchers. She plays her domestic cricket for New South Wales.
Olivia Porter:
She is a right hand bat and right arm seamer, who plays for Australian Capital Territory at the domestic level. This will be her first WBBL season.
Deepti Sharma:
India’s star all-rounder is a left hand middle order bat and right arm off spinner. She can bowl with the new ball as well as in the middle overs. She has the experience of playing in the foreign leagues, given that she was a part of the Hundred a few months back.
Lauren Smith:
The right arm off spinner represents New South Wales at the domestic level. She was with Sydney Sixers earlier before she joined Sydney Thunder. She is considered to be a competitive fielder and can make a difference with her electrifying fielding.
Tahlia Wilson:
The young wicket-keeper bat plays as an opener for New South Wales at the domestic level. She has also played for Australia at the U-19 level. This will be her fourth WBBL season, having played for Sydney Sixers before.
Isabelle Wong:
The English right arm seamer will be a player to watch out for. She has good pace and had an impactful outing in the Hundred playing for the Birmingham Phoenix. Apart from her bowling, she is a right hand bat and is handy lower down the order.
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
