England all-rounder Emily Arlott’s breakthrough year has taken another stride forward with the 27-year-old pace-bowling star joining Sydney Thunder for the remainder of the ongoing 11th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League. The mid-season signing, effective from November 9 to December 13, gives the struggling Thunder a timely boost after they slumped to three consecutive defeats and sit seventh on the ladder with no points to their name.
Arlott’s addition aims to shore up a pace attack that has leaned heavily on veteran Shabnim Ismail since the injury to Hannah Darlington and the retirement of Sammy-Jo Johnson. The right-armer, who is yet to make her WBBL debut, arrives fresh from a stellar introduction to international cricket earlier this year, where she collected nine wickets in six T20Is at an average of 21.22 and an economy rate under eight. With the bat, she has chipped in with 26 runs at a strike rate of 113.04, underlining her value as a lower-order contributor.
“This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m absolutely buzzing to be here,” Arlott said after joining the Thunder camp in Sydney. “When I got the phone call, it was an easy yes. I already know a few of the girls, like Laura Harris, Georgia Voll and Taneale Peschel, so it’s nice having familiar faces around. Coming from England, we often approach things a little differently to the Aussies, and I’m hoping that adds something to the team.”
Arlott’s all-round skills add strategic flexibility for captain Phoebe Litchfield, who now has a bowler trusted in both powerplay and death overs. A natural competitor under pressure, Arlott rose to prominence with a memorable spell of 3-14 against West Indies in Canterbury during her second T20I, earning player-of-the-match honours after dismissing Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor in quick succession.
That performance cemented her place in England’s white-ball setup and capped a dream summer after standout domestic campaigns in England and The Hundred, where she took 12 wickets in seven matches.
Having represented Western Australia in last season’s WNCL, Arlott is no stranger to Australian conditions. Her four matches for Western Australia yielded five wickets, but more crucially, she credits that stint with helping her manage performance anxiety and rediscover her rhythm.
The Lisa Keightley-coached Thunder now face a tough selection puzzle. With Arlott being their fourth overseas signing alongside Ismail, Chamari Athapaththu, and Heather Knight, the club must rotate one of those internationals out of the playing XI each time Arlott features. The management sees her arrival as an essential addition for balance and depth.
Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland explained that Arlott had been on their radar for months. “Emily was high up on our draft board, so we’re thrilled to finally bring her in,” Copeland said in the team release. “Her impact across key phases, the new ball, Surge, and death overs, makes her a unique asset. The power hitting in the middle order also differentiates her from many fast-bowling options.”
Despite a strong on-paper batting unit featuring Litchfield, Athapaththu, Knight, Voll, and Harris, Thunder’s batting has misfired in early games, leaving the bowling unit under pressure. Keightley’s task has been to find the right balance between power, pace, and spin, and Arlott’s arrival could tilt that balance in their favour.
Her readiness and energy were evident upon arrival, “I’m known for standing up in tough overs and staying calm when pressures on. Hopefully, I can contribute in some big moments this season,” Arlott said.
Thunder will hope this signing signals the start of a turnaround. For Arlott, it’s the latest chapter in a year of personal growth, career breakthroughs, and the promise of making a lasting impact, this time, under the bright green of Sydney Thunder.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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