With the player draft for the 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) just around the corner, the Hobart Hurricanes have confirmed the signing of South Africa’s Lizelle Lee for two seasons. This pre-signing contract is part of the WBBL’s new overseas player agreements and will see Lee continue her association with the Hurricanes, a team she has represented since the 08 edition.
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Lizelle has been a key player for the Hobart Hurricanes since relocating to Tasmania at the start of the 2022-23 season, following her retirement from South African international cricket. Over her career, Lee has accumulated 1,896 runs from 82 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), with an average of 25.62, a strike rate of 110.61, and the highest score of 101.
The 32-year-old opening batter has made a significant impact in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), accumulating 2,066 runs from 78 innings with an average of 27.91 and a strike rate of 127.45. Her record includes 11 fifties and three centuries, with her highest score being an unbeaten 103*.
During her maiden stint with the Hobart Hurricanes in 2022, she scored 296 runs across 14 matches. However, she made a notable improvement in the 2023 season, where she notched up 403 runs in 13 innings, including a century against the Melbourne Renegades.
Excited about her return to the franchise she has represented for the past two seasons, Lizelle shared, “I love playing for the Hobart Hurricanes, and I am excited to return to Blundstone Arena for another season in Tasmania. I feel like the team made some strong progress last season, and I am looking forward to playing my role and natural game as we look to bring Tasmania and the Hurricanes their first WBBL trophy.”
Cricket Tasmania’s General Manager of High Performance, Salliann Beams, lauded Lizelle Lee’s game-changing ability and emphasized her role at the top of the order alongside Elyse Villani, creating a talented and experienced pair. She stated, “Lizzy has been huge for us in the past few seasons, she has helped set the tone for our innings by getting us off to a positive start, and with her and Junior at the top of our order, I think we have arguably the most experienced and talented opening pairing in the WBBL.
“She provided us with great versatility with our overseas pre-signing, and considering we had the number one pick in the WBBL Draft it made sense for us to pre-sign someone who we know can play a role for us. She can change the game with the bat and in the field, having done so time and time again in International cricket for South Africa and in the WBBL, which made her a great choice as our overseas pre-signing.”
Lizelle joins Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, and Elyse Villani as players contracted with the Hobart Hurricanes for the 10th edition of the WBBL.
The Hurricanes hold the no. 1 pick in the WBBL Draft, scheduled for September 1, as well as picks 9, 24, and 25. Clubs must secure all remaining overseas players either through the draft or by signing them as replacement players after the draft.
With 6 wins and 7 defeats from 14 games last season, the Hurricanes narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. However, Lizelle Lee extending her stay bolsters their chances for an improved performance. Her experience, combined with the contributions of other senior and emerging talents, enhances the team’s prospects for the upcoming season.