Excitement is building as the first batch of nominees for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) overseas drafts has been unveiled, featuring a stellar lineup of cricketing talent. Among the nominees are prominent stars like Sophie Ecclestone, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Heather Knight. These elite female players have previously showcased their skills in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
The draft will be broadcast live on September 1 across the Seven Network, 7plus, Fox Sports, and Kayo Sports. The WBBL draft kicks off at 3pm AEST, followed by the WBBL draft.
Here is the full list of nominees:
1. Suzie Bates
Suzie Bates made her debut in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) with the Perth Scorchers during the 2015/16 season, continuing with them for the 2016/17 season. In November 2018, she joined the Adelaide Strikers for the 2018/19 season and remained with the team until the 2020/21 season. In the 2022/23 season, Bates played for the Sydney Sixers, though she could potentially be retained by her former club.
Throughout her WBBL career from 2015 to 2023, Bates featured in 100 matches, scoring 2,229 runs with a highest individual score of 102 runs. In addition to her batting, she contributed with the ball, claiming 35 wickets with her best bowling figures being 3/25.
2. Alice Capsey
Alice Capsey joined the Melbourne Stars in September 2022 for the 2022–23 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. She was a key player for the team, finishing as their second-highest run-scorer with 259 runs at an average of 25.90, and also contributed with 9 wickets. Capsey continued with the Melbourne Stars for the 2023–24 WBBL season, where she scored 283 runs, including one half-century, and took eight wickets.
In her overall WBBL career, Capsey has played 28 matches, amassing 542 runs with a highest score of 80 runs. With the ball, she has claimed 17 wickets, with her best bowling figures being 3/37.
3. Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie Ecclestone made her debut in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) during the 8th edition, representing the Sydney Sixers. Known for her impressive left-arm spin, Ecclestone is a highly sought-after player, and the Sydney Sixers, who hold the No.2 pick, are eligible to retain her.
Throughout her WBBL career, Ecclestone has played 15 matches. She has taken 20 wickets with her best bowling figures being 4/17 and has also contributed with the bat, scoring 126 runs.
4. Shabnim Ismail
In December 2015, Shabnim Ismail joined the Melbourne Renegades as an overseas marquee player for the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League season. She made an immediate impact on her debut with 3/10 against the Melbourne Stars. After playing one additional match, she was replaced by Rachel Priest and later re-signed by the Sydney Thunder for the WBBL|06 season.
Ismail played a crucial role in the Sydney Thunder’s championship win during WBBL|06, delivering a match-winning performance in the final with 2/12, including the key wicket of Meg Lanning. Her efforts earned her the Player of the Final award, making her the first South African to receive this honour. Although she missed WBBL|07 due to injury, she returned to the Hobart Hurricanes for the 9th edition and could potentially be retained by her previous club. Over her WBBL career, Ismail has played 58 matches and taken 51 wickets, with best figures of 3/10.
5. Harmanpreet Kaur
In June 2016, Harmanpreet Kaur made history as the first Indian cricketer to be signed by an overseas Twenty20 franchise when the Sydney Thunder secured her for the 2016–17 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. She returned to the Sydney Thunder for the 2018–19 season. In September 2021, Kaur joined the Melbourne Renegades for the 2021–22 WBBL season.
Throughout her WBBL career, Kaur has played 62 matches, amassing 1,440 runs with a highest score of 80 runs. With the ball, she has taken 36 wickets, with her best bowling figures being 4/27.
6. Heather Knight
Heather Knight made her debut in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) with the Hobart Hurricanes in 2015 and played for them until the 2019/20 season. She currently represents the Sydney Thunder. Knight won the WBBL title in her first season with the Thunder, top scoring with an unbeaten 26 in the final. She could potentially be retained by her previous clubs for the upcoming edition.
In her WBBL career, Knight has featured in 85 matches, accumulating 2,083 runs with a highest score of 83 runs. With the ball, she has taken 54 wickets, with her best bowling figures being 3/4.
7. Jemimah Rodrigues
Jemimah Rodrigues made her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) debut with the Melbourne Renegades in the 2021/22 season. She later moved to the Melbourne Stars for the 2022/23 season. Over her WBBL career, Rodrigues has played 20 matches, scoring 377 runs with a highest score of 75 runs.
8. Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma made her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) debut with the Sydney Thunder in the 2021/22 season. Throughout her WBBL career, she has played 13 matches, taking 13 wickets with her best bowling figures of 3/13. With the bat, Sharma has contributed 211 runs.
9. Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt was named in the Brisbane Heat’s squad for the 2017–18 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season and continued with the team for the 2018–19 season. She played in the final against the Sydney Sixers, contributing to the Heat’s title win.
Wolvaardt then joined the Adelaide Strikers for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 WBBL seasons. Throughout her WBBL career, she has appeared in 82 matches, scoring 1,632 runs with a highest score of 75 runs.
10. Danni Wyatt
In November 2018, Laura Wolvaardt was named in the Melbourne Renegades’ squad for the 2018–19 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. She then moved to the Brisbane Heat for the 2022/23 season and could potentially be retained by her previous clubs.
Throughout her WBBL career, Wolvaardt has played 68 matches, scoring 1,606 runs with a highest score of 87 runs. With the ball, she has taken 26 wickets, with her best bowling figures being 4/13.