Sydney Thunder has completed its WBBL|03 list, securing its star allrounder for another two seasons.
Thunder re-signs West Indies captain
Newly re-signed Sydney Thunder star allrounder Stafanie Taylor has set her sights on scoring a maiden T20 century this summer after committing to another two seasons with the lime green team.
The West Indies captain completes the Thunder's 15-player squad ahead of Saturday's season-opener against Melbourne Renegades at North Sydney Oval.
Taylor, who has scored 661 runs and taken 12 wickets over two Rebel WBBL seasons, is currently ranked as the International Cricket Council’s No.1 T20I batter and No.2 allrounder in the world.
"I'm really excited to be back at the Thunder," she said. "It is a really great group to be a part of and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again.
"I'm hoping this year I can score my first Twenty20 century; that's my goal for this season."
Sydney Thunder general manager Lee Germon said he was thrilled to have the WBBL|01 championship player back on board.
"Stafanie is hugely respected on the international cricket scene for her ability and leadership," he said. "As captain of the West Indies side, she will complement our strong leadership group. She will bring experience and power as a batter, and guile as a bowler in our line-up."
The club announced experienced pace bowler Rene Farrell as another two-year signing on Monday afternoon.
Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell will again skipper the side as it looks to return to the finals after a disappointing WBBL|02 campaign that saw it finish sixth.
The squad has five changes from last summer, with mature recruit Lisa Griffith joining the mix, along with former Melbourne Renegades skipper Rachel Priest and promising young talent Rachel Trenaman, Hannah Darlington and Hannah Trethewy.
Taylor will complement a strong core of leaders at the Thunder, joining the likes of Blackwell, Rachael Haynes – who skippered Australia during their recent Women’s Ashes campaign in the absence of injured captain Meg Lanning – India star Harmanpreet Kaur and Priest.
Final Sydney Thunder squad: Alex Blackwell (c), Sam Bates, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Rachael Haynes, Rachel Priest, Rene Farrell, Stafanie Taylor, Naomi Stalenberg, Harmanpreet Kaur, Rachel Trenaman, Hannah Trethewy, Belinda VakarewaImage Id: 5858CF8DC8BD4B148461F49AB42BF5D4