All Ready for WBBL|09 | Squads, Signings, and Season Preview
The Weber WBBL|09: Overview and Squad Updates
Introduction
The Weber Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL|09) is back, and it promises to be an exciting season with eight teams locking in their 15-player squads. This season brings significant changes to team compositions and promises to be a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans.
The Overseas Draft
The inaugural overseas draft, held in early September, has introduced an influx of big international names to WBBL|09. Clubs have also been securing their top local talents, setting the stage for intense competition.
New Contracting Rules
WBBL|09 sees a significant change in the rules governing player signings. Unlike previous seasons, there are no restrictions on how many CA-contracted players a club can sign. Additionally, every club has the flexibility to sign up to three overseas players, excluding replacement players.
Direct Nomination Mechanism
In conjunction with the draft, the direct nomination mechanism allowed six international players to bypass the draft and negotiate directly with teams. However, it came with a salary cap restriction, capping salaries at $61,750.
Increased Payment Pools
The new contracting system has increased the payment pools for clubs. The total payment pool for WBBL teams has doubled to more than $732,000 per team per year. This translates into higher earning potential for top WBBL players, with average retainers doubling and minimum retainers increasing by 30%.
Season Details
WBBL|09 is scheduled to begin on October 19 and conclude with the final on December 2. Let’s take a closer look at each team’s squad.
Adelaide Strikers
As the reigning champions, the Adelaide Strikers have made strategic squad decisions. They’ve retained key players and have the likes of Amanda-Jade Wellington, Maddie Penna, and Bridget Patterson ready to lead their title defense. However, an injury concern lingers over Darcie Brown.
WBBL|08 result: Champions
Coach: Luke Williams
Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Georgia Adams (England), Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Dani Gibson (England), Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath (c), Anesu Mushangwe, Courtney Neale, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
In: Georgia Adams, Dani Gibson, Courtney Neale
Out: Tegan McPharlin (retired), Deandra Dottin, Meagan Dixon
Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat kept their core squad intact, re-signing Jess Jonassen, Georgia Voll, and Laura Harris. They have added strong overseas talent with Amelia Kerr and Bess Heath and secured Mignon du Preez via direct nomination.
WBBL|08 result: Knocked out in The Challenger
Coach: Ash Noffke
Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Mignon du Preez (South Africa), Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Bess Heath (England), Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen (c), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll.
Replacement overseas player: Sarah Glenn (England)
In: Mignon du Preez (Hurricanes), Bess Heath (Stars), Lucy Hamilton
Out: Danni Wyatt, Jess Kerr (Sixers), Zoe Cooke
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes aim to build on their previous season’s success. Nicola Carey and Amy Smith remain key to their strategy. Shabnim Ismail and Bryony Smith were added through the draft, but they faced a setback with Rachel Trenaman’s injury.
WBBL|08 result: Knocked out in The Eliminator
Coach: Jude Coleman (new)
Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15 (plus one injury replacement player could be added)
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Nicola Carey, Julia Cavanough, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee (South Africa), Emma Manix-Geeves, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Bryony Smith (England), Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Elyse Villani (c)
Injury list: Rachel Trenaman (ACL)
In: Shabnim Ismail (Renegades), Bryony Smith, Tabatha Saville
Out: Mignon du Preez (Heat), Hayley Jensen
Melbourne Renegades
The Melbourne Renegades suffered significant losses with the absence of captain Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck due to injuries. However, they’ve made exciting overseas signings, including Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur, and have the return of Jess Duffin and Georgia Wareham to boost the squad.
WBBL|08 result: Seventh
Coach: Simon Helmot
Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15 (two injury replacement players could be added)
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Tammy Beaumont (England), Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Erica Kershaw, Hayley Matthews (c)(West Indies), Rhiann O’Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb
Injury list: Sophie Molineux (ACL), Tayla Vlaeminck (shoulder)
In: Jess Duffin, Tammy Beaumont (Thunder)
Out: Shabnim Ismail (Hurricanes), Carly Leeson
Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars have a powerful addition with the return of Meg Lanning, who missed the previous season. Their draft selections include Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, and Sophia Dunkley.
WBBL|08 result: Sixth
Coach: Jonathan Batty
Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Maia Bouchier (England), Alice Capsey (England), Sophie Day, Sophia Dunkley (England), Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Olivia Henry, Milly Illingworth, Meg Lanning (c), Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Jasmine Nevins, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland
In: Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley, Milly Illingworth, Jasmine Nevins
Out: Bess Heath (Heat), Jemimah Rodrigues, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Lucy Cripps, Hasrat Gill
Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers had to make a tough decision between Sophie Devine and Marizanne Kapp. They retained Devine but bid farewell to Kapp. Danni Wyatt’s withdrawal due to fatigue leaves them looking for a replacement.
Coach: Becky Grundy (new)
Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Chloe Ainsworth, Zoe Britcliffe, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (New Zealand, c), Amy Edgar, Lisa Griffith, Amy Jones (England), Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Lauren Winfield-Hill (England)
Injury list: Charis Bekker (knee)
In: Amy Jones (Thunder), Stella Campbell (Sixers), Chloe Ainsworth, Lisa Griffith, Lauren Winfield-Hill (first six games)
Out: Marizanne Kapp (Thunder), Mathilda Carmichael (Sixers), Maddy Green, Holly Ferling, Georgia Wyllie
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers were runners-up in WBBL|08 and were keen to retain Sophie Ecclestone. However, her injury forced them to bring in Jess Kerr and Chloe Tryon. They’ve also added fresh local faces following retirements.
WBBL|08 result: Runners-up
Coach: Charlotte Edwards
Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Jade Allen, Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emma Hughes, Jess Kerr (New Zealand), Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry (c), Kate Peterson, Chloe Tryon (South Africa)
Replacement overseas player: Linsey Smith (England)
In: Jess Kerr (Heat), Chloe Tryon (Thunder), Mathilda Carmichael (Scorchers), Gabby Sutcliffe, Kate Pelle
Out: Nicole Bolton (retired), Ange Reakes (retired), Sophie Ecclestone, Stella Campbell (Scorchers), Angela Genford
Sydney Thunder
After a disappointing WBBL|08, the Sydney Thunder have appointed Lisa Keightley as their new coach. They made substantial signings, securing Heather Knight, Marizanne Kapp, and Lauren Bell. The team will have flexibility in selecting three overseas players in their playing XI.
WBBL|08 result: Eighth
Coach: Lisa Keightley (new)
Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15
WBBL|09 squad so far:
Sam Bates, Lauren Bell (England), Paris Bowdler, Hannah Darlington, Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Saskia Horley, Ebony Hoskin, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight (England, c), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson.
Replacement overseas player: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
In: Lauren Bell, Marizanne Kapp (Scorchers), Heather Knight, Ebony Hoskin, Claire Moore, Paris Bowdler, Chamari Athapaththu
Out: Rachael Haynes (retired), Chloe Tryon (Sixers), Tammy Beaumont (Renegades), Amy Jones (Scorchers), Jessica Davidson, Corinne Hall, Belinda Vakarewa
With the revamped squads and new international talent, WBBL|09 promises thrilling matches and intense competition. Cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the season. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting games.
