With the 2022-23 edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (W-BBL) nearing, teams have been busy locking players for the tournament that’s scheduled to run from the 13th of October to the 20th of November. All of the 8 franchises are closing out on confirming their squad and in the process, a few of the best signings are grabbing headlines.
The most recent signing has been that of Jemimah Rodrigues who’s locked a deal with the Melbourne Stars having represented Melbourne Renegades in the previous edition.
Jemimah played 13 matches in the previous edition of the W-BBL where she scored a total of 333 runs at a strike rate of 116.43 including two fifties. In her T20I career so far, she’s scored 1273 runs and 7 fifties in 51 T20I innings at an average of 29.60 and a strike rate of 111.56.
Jemimah Rodrigues on her signing said, “I am super excited to be a part of the Stars family. I’ve been told that I’m the first-ever Indian to sign for the Stars and it is my honour to do so. Melbourne has always been my favourite city in Australia and I can’t wait to get back there.”
Stars’ general manager, Blair Crouch said, “We have a huge following in India and to add a player of Jemimah’s quality to our squad is huge coup for the club. I’m sure Jemimah will quickly become a fan favourite and we look forward to seeing her as part of the Stars Family in WBBL 08.”
From Melbourne Renegades to Melbourne Stars
Jemimah Rodrigues has found a new team for upcoming WBBL 2022 😀 #CricketTwitter 📸 @StarsBBL pic.twitter.com/XZbsDKJuWZ
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 6, 2022
After missing out from the touring squad to the World Cup early this year, Jemimah made head turns in the domestic, Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, where in 6 games she scored 243 runs at an average of 69.75 and a strike rate of 167.58 which helped her gain back a spot in the India XI. She then featured during India’s tour of Sri Lanka and even played crucial roles in India’s qualification for the Commonwealth Games semi-final and also the Gold medal match.
With the Women’s Asia Cup running just around the same time, Jemimah Rodrigues is expected to miss the first couple of Stars’ games. The side has missed out on locking in a few big faces and with uncertainty over Meg Lanning’s presence, the Stars’ will wish Jemimah continues on her fruitful run.
Melbourne Stars’ squad so far :
Meg Lanning, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland.