Maddy Green will link up with New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine as the Scorchers look to defend their WBBL title
Scorchers continue Kiwi influx with power-hitter
Reigning WBBL champions Perth Scorchers have poached New Zealand international Maddy Green from Brisbane Heat, with the powerful middle-order batter to link up with her national skipper Sophie Devine.
Green, who is her country's seventh-most capped T20I player, smashed the fourth fastest one-day international century of all-time, bringing up triple figures off 62 balls against Ireland in June 2018.
Devine then beat her mark by three balls when she reached her hundred from 59 balls in the second ODI two days later.
Scorchers' WBBL head coach Shelley Nitschke said Green possessed plenty of international experience and had a lot to offer playing a middle-order role.
"She's a fantastic fielder and a great person, so I reckon she'll fit in really well and offer us some nice versatility. I also expect she'll be an excellent mentor for our younger players," Nitschke said.
Nitschke, also the interim Australia women's team head coach, could come up against both Devine and Green if both sides reach the finals during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July-August.
"The Scorchers won the last WBBL title and are a really good side, so when Shelley reached out to me, I was certainly keen to jump on board and play alongside some brilliant players," Green said.
"I know Sophie loves her time over in Perth and was super excited about what the group achieved last year.
"She also loves working with Shelley and the players and it sounds like a really great group to be part of.
Image Id: 7C2FE89404E04FDDB78AF7495C91937B Image Caption: Green and Devine batting together at this year’s World Cup // Getty"I loved playing in the WBBL in the past and, in my opinion, it's the best T20 league in the world. As a cricketer, you want to be part of those competitions and to play against the best in the world, especially leading into the T20 World Cup early next year in South Africa."
Green has represented the White Ferns 113 times (61 T20Is, 52 ODIs) since making her international debut in 2012, with the 29-year-old featuring in all seven of New Zealand's matches at this year's ODI World Cup, finishing the tournament with 144 runs and a top score of 52 not out.
The right-hander arrives in Perth after 28 matches with the Heat from Weber WBBL|05 to WBBL|06, which has yielded 438 runs with a top score of 56.
Perth Scorchers WBBL|08 squad: Mathilda Carmichael, Sophie Devine (c) (NZ), Maddy Green (NZ), Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo.