The overseas contingent of WBBL finalized with South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail and Ireland’s Kim Garth signing deals
South Africa’s ace pacer Shabnim Ismail and Ireland’s Kim Garth were the final overseas players to be selected for the Women’s Big Bash League this year. The overseas contingent for the tournament was finalized after these two cricketers were locked for the season.
Seamer Shabnim Ismail who is the all-time highest wicket-taker for the Proteas women will be joining Sydney Thunder for the 5th season of the league. Ismail had been a part of Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL season one. Shabnim is one of the fastest bowlers in the women’s games and is the backbone of South Africa’s bowling line-up. Currently ranked as the number 2 bowler in T20Is, Shabnim is sure that she will be able to share her experience with the youngsters. She wants to give her best and win games for her team, she told cricket.com.au
Ismail is now part of the 4-player marquee group at Sydney Thunder which includes Rachael Haynes (Australia), Rachel Priest (New Zealand) and Nida Dar (Pakistan).
On the other hand, young Irish Kim Garth will be playing for the Perth Scorchers. She was earlier part of Sydney Sixers for the 2nd and 3rd editions of the league.
As reported by Laura Jolly of cricket.com.au, Garth said she was offered a place in the team by the Scorchers when she was playing in the World Cup qualifiers. Garth considers WBBL as the best female domestic competition in the world and she is excited to play alongside the likes of Meg Lanning and Nat Sciver.
Amy Jones, Natalie Sciver of England and Kim Garth of Ireland will now form the overseas contingent for the Perth Scorchers alongside the Australian stars Meg Lanning and Nicole Bolton.
Sydney Sixers have made no changes to their marquee players. It includes Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk from South Africa along with Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner of Australia.
Brisbane Heat has made two changes to their squad. Suné Luus and Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa have been replaced by New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green. Along with Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince and Beth Mooney of Australia, they form the marquee squad.
Stafanie Taylor joins Adelaide Strikers this time and will be seen with the likes of Kiwi pair Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, the Australian duo of Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington and English batter Lauren Winfield.
Heather Knight and Fran Wilson of England with Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey are part of the marquee squad of Hobart Hurricanes. WBBL debutant Chloe Tryon is also an import from South Africa.
Melbourne Renegades’s marquee list consists of leg-spinner Georgia Wareham, off-spin all-rounder Sophie Molineux, Kiwi pacer Lea Tahuhu and English players Danielle Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont. Beaumont comes as a replacement for Amy Satterthwaite, who is expecting a baby and won’t be participating this season.
Melbourne Stars have Proteas members Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez, Kiwi wicketkeeper Katey Martin and Elyse Villani who will be captaining the side this season.
Each club can have up to 5 marquee players in their team, with a maximum of three players from overseas.
Overseas players of WBBL 05 –
Adelaide Strikers: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (both NZ), Stafanie Taylor (WI), Lauren Winfield (England, replacement)
Brisbane Heat: Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr (both NZ)
Hobart Hurricanes: Heather Knight, Fran Wilson (both England), Chloe Tryon (SA), Hayley Matthews (WI, replacement)
Melbourne Renegades: Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt (both England), Lea Tahuhu
Melbourne Stars: Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee (both SA), Katey Martin (NZ)
Perth Scorchers: Amy Jones, Natalie Sciver (both England), Kim Garth (Ireland)
Sydney Sixers: Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk (both SA)
Sydney Thunder: Nida Dar (Pakistan), Shabnim Ismail (SA), Rachael Priest (NZ)
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