The inaugural Women’s Big Bash League gets beneath way in Australia on Saturday – with nine existing England players signed up by the eight franchises.
The WBBL, a Twenty20 tournament, will run until the final on 24 January.
It starts with a double-header in Melbourne’s Junction Oval as Brisbane Heat, with England’s Lauren Winfield and Kate Cross, take on Melbourne Stars whose squad includes Natalie Sciver.
It is played in parallel with the men’s Large Bash which starts on 17 December.
Eight of the 59 WBBL games will be shown on Australian free of charge-to-air television, with several games grouped about weekends with totally free entry for spectators.
England vice-captain Heather Knight was named as Hobart Hurricanes skipper on Friday, whilst all-rounder Laura Marsh signed for the Sydney Sixers earlier this week, meaning that seven of the eight WBBL franchises function English players.
As well as the leading Australian players, other top international stars taking component consist of New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates and huge-hitting West Indian Deandra Dottin.
England skipper Charlotte Edwards functions in a Perth Scorchers squad which includes rapidly bowler Katherine Brunt, as nicely as ex-England all-rounder Nicky Shaw, who retired from internationals in 2010 and has since played for Western Australia.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor lines up for Adelaide Strikers, getting helped South Australia win the 50-more than Women’s National Cricket League final week.
England will launch its personal T20 competitors, the £3m Women’s Cricket Super League, next summer.
| Existing and former England players in the WBBL | |
|---|---|
| Group | England players |
| Adelaide Strikers | Sarah Taylor |
| Brisbane Heat | Kate Cross, Lauren Winfield |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Heather Knight |
| Melbourne Renegades | Danielle Wyatt |
| Melbourne Stars | Natalie Sciver |
| Perth Scorchers | Katherine Brunt, Charlotte Edwards, Nicky Shaw |
| Sydney Sixers | Laura Marsh |
| Sydney Thunder | none |
