Jemimah Rodrigues has moved from the Renegades to the Stars for the upcoming Women's Big Bash season
Stars sign India star to add top-order class
India young gun Jemimah Rodrigues will return to the Weber WBBL this season, but this time, she will be wearing green.
Melbourne Stars have contracted the top-order batter for WBBL|08, with Rodrigues the first of their three international signings to be revealed.
The 22-year-old played for cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades last season, scoring 333 runs at a strike rate of over 116.
Rodrigues will likely miss the Stars’ first two matches, on October 15 and 16, due to international commitments, with India competing in the Women's Asia Cup in Bangladesh running from October 1-16.
Her prowess with the bat will be crucial for a side hoping to return to the finals after missing out last season, particularly with captain Meg Lanning’s availability unclear as she takes indefinite leave from the game.
The Stars also lost star opener Elyse Villani during the off-season, with the former Australia batter moving to Hobart Hurricanes.
"I am super excited to be a part of the Stars family," Rodrigues said. "I've been told that I'm the first ever Indian to sign for the Stars and it is my honour to do so.
"Melbourne has always been my favourite city in Australia and I can't wait to get back there."
Rodrigues will be the first Indian player to represent the Stars, and is the third to sign on for WBBL|08, alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who returns to the Renegades, and Pooja Vastrakar, who has signed with Brisbane Heat.
Part of the silver-medal winning India team that was defeated by Australia in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games last month, Rodrigues made her international debut at 17 and has played 58 T20Is for her country.
The Stars will have two overseas signings and two locals left to confirm.
Melbourne Stars WBBL|08 squad so far: Meg Lanning (c), Jemimah Rodrigues (Ind), Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland
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