Surrey all-rounder Natalie Sciver has become the latest England women’s cricketer to sign-up to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL|01) in Australia this winter.
Sciver will play alongside Australia women’s captain, Meg Lanning, for the Melbourne Stars in the inaugural edition of the twenty20 (T20) competition, which is aligned to the men’s KFC Big Bash League.
Eight England women’s players are now confirmed to feature in WBBL|01, with Sciver due to take on team-mates Kate Cross and Lauren Winfield in the opening match of the tournament on 5th December, when Melbourne Stars host Brisbane Heat at the Junction Oval.
Charlotte Edwards and Katherine Brunt (Perth Scorchers), Heather Knight (Hobart Hurricanes), Sarah Taylor (Adelaide Strikers) and Danielle Wyatt (Melbourne Renegades) are the five other England women’s players who will take part in the T20 competition, which comprises 59 matches in 51 days, culminating in the final on 24th January.
Natalie Sciver said: “I’m really excited to have signed for Melbourne Stars and cannot wait to get out there and play in the first ever Women’s Big Bash League. In particular, I’m looking forward to challenging myself in a new environment and it’s brilliant to get the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Meg Lanning. It will also be a lot of fun playing against all the other England girls who are involved – we are due to play against Perth Scorchers, who Charlotte Edwards and Katherine Brunt have signed for, at the WACA on Boxing Day, which is something that I am really looking forward to!
“Playing in the WBBL this winter should also give us a taste of what we can look forward to experiencing in the ECB’s Women’s Cricket Super League in England next year.”
ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, added: “Natalie is one of the most exciting T20 players in the international women’s game, and I am certain that she will be an excellent addition to the Melbourne Stars team this winter.
“We want all the England women’s players involved in WBBL|01 to be challenged and exposed to high pressure situations and this will form an important part of their preparations for the ICC Women’s World T20 in India next March.”
Earlier this year, the ECB announced that the first Women’s Cricket Super League will be launched during the 2016 season. This major new development will help to support greater participation, encourage higher levels of performance and create new commercial partnerships for the women’s game in England. The competition will feature six teams and will receive a £3 million investment from the ECB over the next four years.
England women’s cricketers to play in WBBL|01:
| Name | Team |
| Katherine Brunt | Perth Scorchers |
| Kate Cross | Brisbane Heat |
| Charlotte Edwards | Perth Scorchers |
| Heather Knight | Hobart Hurricanes |
| Natalie Sciver | Melbourne Stars |
| Sarah Taylor | Adelaide Strikers |
| Lauren Winfield | Brisbane Heat |
| Danielle Wyatt | Melbourne Renegades |
Photo above – Natalie Sciver batting for England v New Zealand by Don Miles.
Report courtesy of the ECB.
