WBBL|08 squads: How each team is shaping up

The eighth edition of the WBBL will get underway in a little less than 100 days, and the clubs have already been busy this off-season as the contract lists take shape.

Weber WBBL|08 will begin in Mackay on October 13, with the full schedule unveiled by Cricket Australia on Thursday, and matches are set to be played in all six states and the ACT for the first time since 2019.

The world's best overseas talent is again set to arrive in Australia for the tournament; South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, and New Zealand's Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr have already put pen to paper for the upcoming season, as has India captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

In exciting news, England's biggest names should be available this season given there are no conflicting tours during the WBBL window, with Heather Knight already linked with a return to the Sydney Thunder and the likes of Danni Wyatt also a chance of a return.

Each club is permitted a maximum of five 'marquee players'; a marquee is either a player from overseas, or an local who holds a Cricket Australia contract for 2022-23 (Perth Scorchers spinner Alana King has been elevated to that 15-player group this season, replacing Melbourne Renegades skipper Sophie Molineux).

The five marquees must be a mix of overseas and CA contracted players, with a maximum of three each.

Here's a definitive guide to how your club is currently placed ahead of WBBL|08.

* Denotes CA contracted Australian marquee player

Adelaide Strikers

The Strikers have been quiet on the contracting front since the embargo lifted, but have a solid start to their list with their three CA contracted stars and Commonwealth Games squad member Amanda-Jade Wellington already on the books. Re-signing Katie Mack will be a priority after her stunning WBBL|07 campaign with the bat.

WBBL|07 result: Runners-up

Coach: Luke Williams

Overseas players signed: 0 of 2

Spots filled on contract list: 6 out of 15

WBBL|07 squad so far: Darcie Brown*, Tahlia McGrath*, Megan Schutt*, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Amanda-Jade Wellington

In: TBC

Out: TBC

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Dane van Niekerk (SA), Laura Wolvaardt (SA), Jemma Barsby, Sarah Coyte, Nell Bryson-Smith, Meagan Dixon, Katie Mack, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O’Neil

Brisbane Heat

The return of Amelia Kerr is welcome news for Heat fans after the star New Zealand allrounder sat out last season while taking a break from the game. The Brisbane club have retained the core of the side that finished inside the top four last season, with the Harris sisters the two most notable names currently not on contract.

WBBL|07 result: Fourth, knocked out of The Eliminator

Coach: Ashley Noffke

Overseas players signed: 1 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 9 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Jess Jonassen* (c), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Nicola Hancock, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippell, Georgia Voll

In: Amelia Kerr (NZ)

Out: TBC

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Anneke Bosch (SA), Nadine de Klerk (SA), Poonam Yadav (IND), Zoe Cooke, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Georgia Prestwidge

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have added yet more talent to their ranks as they look to snap a five-season spell outside of the finals. Elyse Villani should be the key to solving the top-order issue that has plagued the Hurricanes in recent seasons, while pace-bowling allrounder Heather Graham is a very handy addition. The return of Tayla Vlaeminck to the Renegades is undoubtedly a blow, although the speedster will miss this season anyway due to injury.

WBBL|07 result: Sixth

Overseas players signed: 0 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 9 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Elyse Villani (c), Nicola Carey*, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Emma Manix-Geeves, Amy Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman

In: Elyse Villani (Stars), Heather Graham (Scorchers), Emma Manix-Geeves

Out: Tayla Vlaeminck (Renegades), Sasha Moloney (Stars)

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Richa Ghosh (IND), Rachel Priest (NZ), Mignon du Preez (SA), Angela Genford, Chloe Rafferty, Naomi Stalenberg, Emma Thompson, Belinda Vakarewa

Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades are building nicely after returning to the top four last season, notably re-signing WBBL|07 player of the tournament Harmanpreet Kaur and captain Sophie Molineux. However, they will be on the lookout for two local replacement players, with Australia stars Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham already ruled out of the upcoming season as they recover from long-term injuries. Jess Duffin will also not be available to play due to the clash between the WBBL and AFLW seasons, leaving a gap to fill in the middle-order.

WBBL|07 result: Third, knocked out of The Challenger

Coach: Simon Helmot

Overseas players signed: 1 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 9 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Sophie Molineux (c), Tayla Vlaeminck*, Georgia Wareham*, Harmanpreet Kaur (IND), Ellen Falconer, Carly Leeson, Rhiann O’Donnell, Courtney Webb

In: Tayla Vlaeminck (Hurricanes)

Out: Jess Duffin

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Jemimah Rodrigues (IND), Eve Jones (ENG), Makinley Blows, Holly Ferling, Poppy Gardner, Ella Hayward

Melbourne Stars

The loss of Elyse Villani is a significant blow for the Stars, who will likely need to look overseas for a replacement at the top of the order given a lack of strong local batting talent currently off contract. Kim Garth will play as a local this season after attaining permanent residency, which opens an additional place for an overseas player on the list. Jonathan Batty, who coaches Surrey and the Oval Invincibles in the United Kingdom, takes over as coach from Jarrad Loughman. After four different head coaches in as many years, the Stars will be seeking stability.

WBBL|07 result: Fifth

Coach: Jonathan Batty (new)

Overseas players signed: 0 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 10 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Meg Lanning* (c), Annabel Sutherland*, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid

In: Sasha Moloney (Hurricanes), Sophie Reid

Out: Elyse Villani (Hurricanes), Erin Osborne (retired)

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Maia Boucher (ENG), Linsey Smith (ENG), Maddy Darke, Georgia Gall, Anna Lanning

Perth Scorchers

The reigning champions have locked in their biggest international names for another year, with Sophie Devine and Marizanne Kapp to wear the orange once again. The addition of New Zealand batter Maddy Green will strengthen the middle-order, but the departure of allrounder Heather Graham to the Hurricanes is a loss.

WBBL|07 result: Champions

Coach: Shelley Nitschke

Overseas players signed: 3 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 9 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Sophie Devine (c) (NZ), Maddy Green (NZ), Marizanne Kapp (SA), Alana King*, Beth Mooney*, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Lilly Mills, Chloe Piparo

In: Maddy Green (NZ)

Out: Heather Graham (Hurricanes), Chamari Athapaththu (SL)

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Samantha Betts, Ashley Day, Amy Edgar, Lisa Griffith, Taneale Peschel

Sydney Sixers

Sixers fans will no doubt be eagerly scanning the squad list for the name 'Ellyse Perry'. While the star allrounder's re-signing has yet to be publicly announced, Perry is understood to be going nowhere, having agreed to terms with the club prior to the contract embargo being lifted. Her return would leave the club with two overseas berths to fill this season, while they will also have a new coach for WBBL|08, with England legend Charlotte Edwards (who has a knack for winning titles) taking over the role vacated by Ben Sawyer, who has been appointed head coach of New Zealand's women’s team.

WBBL|07 result: Eighth

Coach: Charlotte Edwards (new)

Overseas players signed: 0 (of likely 2)

Spots filled on contract list: 8 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Ashleigh Gardner*, Alyssa Healy*, Jade Allen, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle

In: TBC

Out: TBC

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Ellyse Perry (c)*, Shafali Verma (IND), Radha Yadav (IND), Emma Hughes, Matilda Lugg, Angela Reakes, Hayley Silver-Holmes

Sydney Thunder

There has not been too much news from the Thunder camp this off-season so far, but they did confirm Hannah Darlington's contract extension, with the young gun allrounder handed a massive four-year deal. Veteran Rachael Haynes is expected to re-sign, while there have also been reports that England skipper Heather Knight will return having played a major role in their WBBL|06 title win.

WBBL|07 result: Seventh

Coach: Trevor Griffin

Overseas players signed: 0 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 5 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Tahlia Wilson

In: TBC

Out: TBC

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Rachael Haynes*, Smriti Mandhana (IND), Deepti Sharma (IND), Issy Wong (ENG), Jessica Davidson, Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Kate Peterson, Lauren Smith