The 132-game Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) veteran and leading run-scorer in the competition has extended her stay with the Perth Scorchers until at least the end of the 12th edition. Just days before the WBBL overseas players draft, this crucial signing fills a key slot for the 2021-22 WBBL champions, boosting their quest for another championship.
The Perth Scorchers have managed to hold on to the ever-reliable and consistent Beth Mooney for the next three WBBL seasons as she turned down several lucrative offers to remain with the Scorchers. One of the competition’s most prolific batters, she has scored 400 or more runs every season, with a standout 743-run campaign in 2019/20.
Beth described her decision to extend her stay with the Scorchers as ‘a pretty easy one,’ despite receiving ‘decent offers’ from other clubs. She emphasized her loyalty to the Scorchers, feeling she still has unfinished goals to achieve with the team and beyond.
Elaborating on unfinished business, Beth shared with cricket.com.au, “(I want to) help the young kids develop their T20 game for sure, and perhaps create a bit of a dynasty there and win a couple more titles. I think we’ve definitely got the team and the versatility within our line-up to do that.”
The classy left-hand batter began her WBBL journey with the Brisbane Heat before making the switch to the Perth Scorchers after five seasons. Even at the Scorchers, she has been a consistent force, scoring 551, 547, 434, and 557 runs in her stints with the team in orange. Across 132 appearances in the competition, Beth has accumulated 4,665 runs at an impressive average of 47.12 and a strike rate of 124.63. Her remarkable record includes 41 fifties, 3 centuries, and the highest score of 102.
Beth, a three-time WBBL champion with two titles won at the Heat, expressed her excitement about extending her stay with the Scorchers, stating, “I’m absolutely delighted to be returning to the Scorchers for the next three seasons… we have been able to build a fantastic team culture over the past few seasons.
“Moving over to the Scorchers four seasons ago was the best decision of my career, it has allowed me to fall in love with cricket again and I think this environment has given me the platform to thrive. Winning the WBBL|07 title in front of our fans at Optus Stadium will always be a special memory for me, and I hope that over the next three years, there will be another title to celebrate.”
Beth has been the leading run-scorer for the past four seasons, a key factor in the Scorchers’ recent success. The team finished as semi finalists in 2020-21, champions in 2021-22, and while they ended 5th in 2022-23, they closed out the regular season in 2nd place but lost their Challenger match.
On draft day, September 1, the Scorchers will make their picks at 8, 16, 17, and 32. Earlier this month, they utilized a new provision to retain the all-round services of Sophie Devine and also confirmed the re-signing of emerging talent Amy Edgar. With these signings, the Scorchers are well-positioned as they approach their opener against the Melbourne Stars at the WACA Ground on October 27.
Perth Scorchers squad for WBBL|10 so far:
Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine, Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo