The inaugural draft of the overseas players presented the perfect opportunity for the clubs to sign some of the world’s best players and bolster their squad. This is exactly what the clubs did, as they signed some of the best players.
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hurricanes’ first pick in the draft was the star Proteas bowler Shabnim Ismail. Shabnim has featured in 4 editions of the tournament, playing a total of 44 games and also taking a total of 38 wickets at an economy rate of 6.01.
English all-rounder Bryony Smith was their second pick in the draft. Bryony is yet to feature in a big bash game. Bryony has represented England for a total of 8 times in the shortest format. She scored a total of 57 runs at a strike rate of 90.47.
(Players – Shabnim Ismail, Bryony Smith)
Brisbane Heat
Star White Ferns all-rounder, Amelia Kerr was Heat’s first pick in the draft. She has played a total of 46 matches for the Brisbane side, scoring a total of 499 runs at an average of 19.96 and a strike rate of 114.97. Amelia has also picked a total of 52 wickets at an economy rate of 6.19.
English Keeper, Bess Heath was the Heat’s second player picked in the draft. This will be Heath’s debut season in the WBBL. Heath is also yet to feature for England’s national team. Heath was a part of the title-winning squad of Northern Superchargers in the recently concluded tournament named the Hundred. From a total of 8 innings, Heath scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 164.28.
(Players – Amelia Kerr, Bess Heath)
Here's the Final 17 who got picked in the draft today.
Whose non-selection surprised you the most? #CricketTwitter #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/SSdGuxWjJf
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 3, 2023
Sydney Sixers
Proteas’ all-rounder Chloe Tryon was picked by the Sydney Sixers in the first round of the draft. Sixers will be the third team Chloe will play for after Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder. Chloe has played a total of 36 games in the WBBL, scoring a total of 509 runs at a strike rate of 129.84.
White Ferns bowler Jess Kerr was the Sixers’ second player to be drafted. Jess played in the WBBL for the first time last year. She featured in a total of 9 games, picking 6 wickets at an economy rate of 6.16.
Sydney Sixers have roped in Chloe Tryon 😍🔥#CricketTwitter #WBBL pic.twitter.com/arEZ47FGWT
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 3, 2023
(Players – Chloe Tryon, Jess Kerr)
Adelaide Strikers
Proteas’ arguably best batter Laura Wolvaardt will be once again seen in the striker’s blue colours. Laura has played a total of 67 games in the WBBL, amassing a total of 1230 runs at an average of 23.20 and a strike rate of 108.65.
The star batter Laura Wolvaardt has been retained by Adelaide Strikers 💙😍#CricketTwitter #WBBL pic.twitter.com/915TZJGr10
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 3, 2023
Strikers’ second player drafted was England’s young bowling all-rounder Dani Gibson. This is going to be Dani’s debut season in the tournament. Gibson has featured for her country a total of 5 times in the shortest format. She has picked a total of 3 wickets and scored 15 runs from it.
(Players – Laura Wolvaardt, Dani Gibson)
Click here to read draft picks of Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers, and Melbourne Stars.
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