Despite the fact that no current players have signed up for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), Indian cricketers could compete in the league this year. The Indian squad is currently in Mackay, Queensland, training for a multi-format series against Australia, which begins on September 21 with the first ODI. Shafali Verma, the opener, and Radha Yadav, the left-arm spinner, have been heavily connected with a move to the Sydney Sixers in the past, but nothing materialised.
“I know there’s been lots of exciting conversations going on (between clubs and India players). They’re such a popular team, and popular players in their own right, that if we were able to see some of those players in the WBBL that’d be really exciting. All our clubs are having lots of conversation, so we’ll wait and see,” said Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues.
In past seasons, Indian cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur (Sydney Thunder), Smriti Mandhana (Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes), and Veda Krishnamurthy (Hobart Hurricanes) competed in the event. However, due to a clash with a West Indies tour, Indian players were unable to participate in the 2019 season. Several Indian players were expected to participate, but due to a clash with the Women's T20 Challenge in 2020, they were unable to do so. Apart from Shafali, Radha, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Poonam Yadav, Kaur and Mandhana will be in great demand for the forthcoming season.
For the seventh season of the WBBL, nine overseas acquisitions have been confirmed, with 13 spaces still open or still to be declared by clubs. Only the Perth Scorchers have announced its three international players: Sophie Devine of New Zealand, Marizanne Kapp of South Africa, and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka.
The Brisbane Heat have signed Nadine de Klerk and Anneke Bosch from South Africa. However, they only have one spot available as Amelia Kerr of New Zealand withdrew from the event last week due to mental health issues.
The Hobart Hurricanes also have a spot after confirming the re-signing of Rachel Priest from New Zealand and the addition of Mignon Du Preez from the Melbourne Stars. The Stars have added Ireland all-rounder Kim Garth to their roster, and they still have two foreign spots available. This week, the Adelaide Strikers announced the return of South African batter Laura Wolvaardt. The Melbourne Renegades, Sydney Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers have yet to announce their foreign acquisitions.
“We’re really optimistic after the great experience (we had) last year, and a great track record working with our clubs and various governments on getting the overseas players in. It’s such an important part of the WBBL, we’re the best cricket league in the world for women. We’re on track again this year, we have great support from our clubs and from government, (so) we’re expecting a strong contingent of overseas players again,” signed off Dobson.
