In a significant move for her career, Taneale Peschel has opted to leave her home state of Western Australia, its Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) team of Perth Scorchers, to join the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming two WBBL seasons.
A pivotal figure in the Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers’ bowling lineup since her debut in the 03 edition of the WBBL (2017-18), the seasoned pacer, has made her mark with 50 wickets in 73 matches for the Perth Scorchers and is set to carry this wealth of experience to the Thunder squad.
Peschel has emerged as a leader within both her state and the Scorchers’ squad, particularly contributing to Perth’s inaugural WBBL title in WBBL|07. Her standout performance in the final, where she claimed 2 wickets including crucial wickets of Tahlia McGrath and Dane Van Niekerk.
Peschel’s decision to move east was driven by a desire to challenge herself and explore new opportunities outside her comfort zone. Reflecting on her move, Peschel acknowledged the crucial role played by Lisa Keightley, her former coach from Western Australia and the Scorchers, who now leads Thunder’s campaign for WBBL|10.
“At the Scorchers, I’ve had tremendous opportunities, but I felt stagnant over the last season or two,” Peschel remarked. “I tend to play it safe and stay in WA, but this year, something clicked—I realized I needed a change to push my career forward.”
Keightley, who initially brought Peschel back from a brief retirement several years ago, expressed excitement about reuniting with the talented bowler. “Taneale is a highly skilled bowler with pace that sets her apart. She has excelled in critical situations for the Scorchers and will complement our squad’s dynamics perfectly,” Keightley commented.
Peschel’s move highlights Thunder’s commitment to strengthening their bowling attack, following the recent signing of Georgia Voll from Brisbane Heat. With Peschel joining a promising lineup including Samantha Bates and Hannah Darlington, Sydney Thunder WBBL|10 looks poised to make a strong title push under Keightley’s leadership.