Fiery SA quick, Irish star round out WBBL imports

The overseas player contingent for the upcoming Rebel WBBL season has been locked in, with fiery South Africa quick Shabnim Ismail and Ireland’s Kim Garth revealed as the final two pieces of the puzzle today.

Ismail, who previously played for the Renegades in WBBL|01, has signed with Sydney Thunder for WBBL|05, while Garth – a former Sixer – has put pen to paper for Perth Scorchers.

The Proteas speedster is the world’s second-ranked T20I bowler and she rounds out a four-player marquee group at the Thunder that also includes New Zealand wicketkeeper Rachel Priest, Pakistan allrounder Nida Dar and Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes.

"I’m really excited to join the Thunder and obviously make a difference," Ismail, who lays claim to being one of the fastest bowlers in the women's game, said.

"I really want to make an impact with the girls, and obviously I want to win as well.

"For the youngsters, just to pass on my knowledge from the level that I’ve been playing at which is the highest level."

Garth joins England pair Natalie Sciver and Amy Jones to complete the Scorchers’ overseas trio, alongside Australian contracted pair Meg Lanning and Nicole Bolton.

Garth’s inclusion means players from six international teams will travel to Australia for the first standalone edition of the tournament – England, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland.

Having played in the Sixers’ WBBL|02 and WBBL|03 winning seasons, Garth said she was excited to return to the Big Bash.

"It came to me as a bit of a shock, I was playing in a World Cup qualifier at the time and when I heard the Scorchers wanted to sign me I was over the moon," Garth said.

"The WBBL is the best female domestic competition in the world, and for the opportunity to play in this tournament alongside the likes of Meg Lanning and Nat Sciver is really exciting."

Sydney Sixers were quick to lock in the same marquee group that took them to the final last season, with Proteas pair Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk returning to join Australian trio Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and Alyssa Healy.

Title-holders Brisbane Heat have made two changes, with New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr and batter Maddy Green replacing Proteas Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt. They join Aussie trio Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince and Beth Mooney.

The Strikers have lured West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor across from the Thunder, and she joins Kiwi ‘Smash Sisters’ Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine – alongside Australia pair Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington – with English batter Lauren Winfield to join the club when Taylor misses matches mid-season for international duties.

Hobart Hurricanes have signed England pair Heather Knight and Fran Wilson alongside South Africa’s Chloe Tryon, who will make her WBBL debut, having also secured the services of Australian allrounder Nicola Carey, who moved south from the Thunder.

There’s also a strong English flavour at the Melbourne Renegades, where Danni Wyatt is joined by Tammy Beaumont – who replaces White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaite, who is expecting a baby – and New Zealand quick Lea Tahuhu.

Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham joins fellow Aussie spinner Sophie Molineux on the Renegades’ marquee list this summer after earning her first Cricket Australia contract.

Melbourne Stars will welcome back South Africa’s Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez, while Kiwi Katey Martin earns a contact after filling in as a replacement player last summer.

The Stars have also revealed a new captain, with Australia-contracted batter Elyse Villani taking the reins from Kristen Beams after shifting across from the Scorchers.

Each WBBL club can sign up to five marquee players, with a maximum of three from overseas. 

The WBBL player signing window closes today, with every club but the Hurricanes confirming their full 15-player lists.

WBBL|05 overseas players

Adelaide Strikers: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (both NZ), Stafanie Taylor (WI), Lauren Winfield (England, replacement)

Brisbane Heat: Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr (both NZ)

Hobart Hurricanes: Heather Knight, Fran Wilson (both England), Chloe Tryon (SA), Hayley Matthews (WI, replacement)

Melbourne Renegades: Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt (both England), Lea Tahuhu

Melbourne Stars: Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee (both SA), Katey Martin (NZ)

Perth Scorchers: Amy Jones, Natalie Sciver (both England), Kim Garth (Ireland)

Sydney Sixers: Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk (both SA)

Sydney Thunder: Nida Dar (Pakistan), Shabnim Ismail (SA), Rachael Priest (NZ)