A few English stars will head Down Under this winter to feature as overseas players in the ninth edition of the Women’s Big Bash league (WBBL). It’s a sign of the times that the list is made up of a number of centrally contracted England players, some with a number of international caps and even one uncapped all-rounder. Here's a guide to what you can expect from these English cricketers.
Dani Gibson – Adelaide Strikers
Age: 22
Role: All-rounder (seam)
English Domestic Team: Western Storm
All-rounder, Dani Gibson, made her England debut this summer, featuring during the thrilling Ashes series. Famously hitting a boundary to win England’s T20 at Lords, Gibson is an exciting pick offering aggressive batting and can be a key wicket taker.
Georgia Adams – Adelaide Strikers
Age: 30
Role: All-rounder (off spin)
English Domestic Team: Southern Vipers
Georgia Adams may be the only internationally uncapped player on the list, however, the all-rounder is certainly not short of experience. Captaining the Southern Vipers, she has become one of the most successful skippers in women’s domestic cricket. Adams was also among the leading run scorers and wicket takers in the Racheal Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Bess Heath – Brisbane Heat
Age: 22
Role: Wicketkeeper
English Domestic Team: Northern Diamonds
Returning to the WBBL, this time to the Brisbane Heat, Bess Heath has had a whirlwind of a year in between her Australian travels. From performing for the Northern Diamonds to making her international debut, Heath has arrived on the women’s cricket scene. With a strike rate similar to that of Heat teammate, Laura Harris, Heath will be the provider of some tantalising cameos.
Sarah Glenn – Brisbane Heat
Age: 24
Role: Leg spin bowler
English Domestic Team: The Blaze
Flying to the top of the rankings in world cricket, Sarah Glenn has developed as one of England’s best bowlers. Leg spin may have been on the decline when Glenn started cricket, however, a generation of players may turn to leggies after watching the England star bowl. This is Glenn’s second stint in the WBBL, previously featuring for the Perth Scorchers in the 2020/21 season.
Tammy Beaumont – Melbourne Renegades
Age: 32
Role: Batter
English Domestic Team: The Blaze
Named the 2023 PCA Player of the Year, Tammy Beaumont truly has had a summer to remember. From scoring a double century in the Ashes – the first English women to do so – to scoring the highest innings in The Hundred, Beaumont has lit up the English summer. Heading back to the WBBL for her fifth season, Beaumont has a wealth of skills to offer with the bat at the top of the order. Despite what selectors may say, she can also score very quickly!
Alice Capsey – Melbourne Stars
Age: All-rounder (off-spin)
Role: 19
English Domestic Team: South East Stars
England’s cheat code, Alice Capsey is flying out to Australia again, intending to impress in the WBBL once again. Capsey shattered her collar bone last December but made a rapid recovery in time for the World Cup, a tournament which was only the start of a strong year for the young all-rounder. Her prominence in world cricket is remarkable given her age and she’s become a fan favourite for the Melbourne Stars.
Maia Bouchier – Melbourne Stars
Age: 24
Role: Batter
English Domestic Team: Southern Vipers
Similarly returning to the Stars, Maia Bouchier has found good form for her domestic side, the Southern Vipers, this summer. Bouchier was included in England’s T20 squad for the Ashes but did not feature. After some promising performances in the Hundred and in an England shirt, against Sri Lanka, Bouchier is an exciting pick for the Stars.
Sophia Dunkley – Melbourne Stars
Age: 25
Role: Batter
English Domestic Team: South East Stars
Form is temporary, class is permanent. It’s a slight cliché in sport but it’s also important to remember regarding Sophia Dunkley’s current position. Struggling during the Ashes, Dunkley’s place in the side was becoming hard to justify. However, a number of good scores, including two half-centuries during the Hundred were very reassuring. A batting camp with some of the England squad in India recently will have hopefully boosted her confidence.
Amy Jones – Perth Scorchers
Age: 30
Role: Wicketkeeper
English Domestic Team: Central Sparks
With a reaction time most could only dream of, Amy Jones has been a regular in the WBBL, since her debut in 2016. While Jones may not always register huge scores, her wicketkeeping is world class and her role in any side is pivotal. Amy Jones returns to the Perth Scorchers, who she played for between 2018-2021.
Heather Knight – Sydney Thunder
Age: 32
Role: Batter
English Domestic Team: Western Storm
England skipper, Heather Knight, will put on a lime green shirt again as she heads back to play for Sydney Thunder. Captaining the side, Knight will be hoping to turn the Thunder’s poor run around and lift the trophy this season. Individually, Knight hasn’t particularly has a stand-out summer, however, as a leader she had a very successful Ashes!
Lauren Bell – Sydney Thunder
Age: 22
Role: Seam Bowler
English Domestic Team: Southern Vipers
22-year-old seamer, Lauren Bell, has continued her impressive start to her international career. Performing well in the Ashes, Bell flourished in the Hundred and in regional cricket. But, citing fatigue and illness, she was ruled out of the Sri Lanka series. However, making her WBBL debut, Bell is a very smart pick for the Thunder, potentially bowling in tandem with South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp.
Bryony Smith – Hobart Hurricanes
Age: 25
Role: All-rounder
English Domestic Team: South East Stars
As the second highest run scorer in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, Bryony Smith is one of the strongest regional players in England. Briefly featuring for England at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, Smith hasn’t been a part of the international set up for a while but continues to captain the South East Stars and deliver with bat and ball frequently.
Linsey Smith – Sydney Sixers
Age: 28
Role: Bowler (Off-spin)
English Domestic Team: Southern Vipers
The latest WBBL signing is off-spinner, Linsey Smith, who joins the Sydney Sixers. Previously playing for the Melbourne Stars, Smith has worked closely with Sixers' head coach, Charlotte Edwards back at the Southern Vipers. Taking 13 wickets across 9 matches in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, Smith finished as the third highest wicket taker and of course, took home a winners medal.
Lauren Winfield-Hill - Perth Scorchers
Age: 33
Role: Batter
English Domestic Team: Northern Diamonds
Debuting for her fifth WBBL side, Lauren Winfield-Hill has just signed for the Perth Scorchers for WBBL09. With over 100 England caps, experience is certainly not lacking and Winfield-Hill finished as the leading run scorer in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy this summer, averaging 51.00. The Scorchers aren't short of wicketkeepers with Beth Mooney, Maddy Darke and the world's best, Amy Jones all in the side. Winfield-Hill is an addition to that illustrious list!
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