WBBL|08 squads: How each team is shaping up

The cream of the crop of international talent will descend on Australia in the coming weeks, with just one month remaining until the eighth edition of the WBBL gets underway.

The eight clubs have been busy this off-season as contract lists come close to being finalised ahead of the Weber WBBL|08 tournament opener between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers on October 13.

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

Some of England's biggest names are also available this season with no conflicting tours during the WBBL window and in exciting news, Danni Wyatt will line up for Brisbane Heat and Sophie Ecclestone for Sydney Sixers.

As per previous seasons, each club is permitted a maximum of five 'marquee players'; a marquee is either a player from overseas, or a 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 of each type.

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 secured two of the most exciting names in T20 cricket for the upcoming season, with South Africa star Laura Wolvaardt returning while West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who recently retired from international cricket, will make her Strikers debut.

They join a strong group of local players including Adelaide’s three CA-contracted stars and fellow Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amanda-Jade Wellington. In exciting news, Zimbabwe allrounder Anesu Mushangwe has earned her first Strikers deal; as an Australian resident (and strong performer in SA premier cricket since 2019) she has been approved to play as a local.

Veteran pace bower Sarah Coyte has departed to join Melbourne Renegades; Katie Mack was off contract at the end of last season and the club have yet to confirm whether she has re-signed, but they will undoubtedly be keen to retain her services after her stunning WBBL|07 campaign with the bat.

WBBL|07 result: Runners-up

Coach: Luke Williams

Overseas players signed: 2 of 2

Spots filled on contract list: 13 out of 15

WBBL|07 squad so far: Darcie Brown*, Tahlia McGrath*, Megan Schutt*, Laura Wolvaardt (SA), Deandra Dottin (WI), Jemma Barsby, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson

In: Deandra Dottin, Anesu Mushangwe, Ella Wilson

Out: Sarah Coyte (Renegades), Dane van Niekerk

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Nell Bryson-Smith, Meagan Dixon, Katie Mack

Brisbane Heat

The Heat have added extra firepower to an already imposing top-order, signing England star Danni Wyatt.

She joins India allrounder Pooja Vastrakar – a pace bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batter – on the Brisbane books, while the return of New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr is also welcome news for Heat fans.

The Brisbane club have retained the core of the side that finished inside the top four last season, with Georgia Prestwidge the only local departure, while they have added teenage leg-spinner Grace Parsons.

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

Coach: Ashley Noffke

Overseas players signed: 3 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad: Jess Jonassen* (c), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Pooja Vastrakar (Ind), Danni Wyatt (Eng), Zoe Cooke, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippell, Georgia Voll

In: Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Danni Wyatt, Grace Parsons

Out: Georgia Prestwidge, Anneke Bosch (SA), Nadine de Klerk (SA), Poonam Yadav (IND)

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes could be building something very special after another busy off-season on the signing front. Former Melbourne Star Elyse Villani and South Africa’s Lizelle Lee 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 – and England young gun Issy Wong makes for a strong like-for-like replacement.

One remaining question mark hangs over who will coach the team this season, after Salliann Beams took on a new role as Cricket Tasmania’s general manager of high performance.

WBBL|07 result: Sixth

Coach: TBC

Overseas players signed: 3 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Elyse Vllani (c), Nicola Carey*, Lizelle Lee (SA), Mignon du Preez (SA), Issy Wong (Eng), Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Emma Manix-Geeves, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman

In: Elyse Villani (Stars), Heather Graham (Scorchers), Hayley Silver-Holmes (Sixers), Emma Manix-Geeves, Lizelle Lee, Issy Wong

Out: Tayla Vlaeminck (Renegades), Sasha Moloney (Stars), Angela Genford (Sixers), Rachel Priest (NZ), Richa Ghosh (Ind)

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Chloe Rafferty, Emma Thompson, Belinda Vakarewa

Melbourne Renegades

The surprise packet of WBBL|07, things are looking promising for the Renegades as they add two major overseas stars and a veteran former Aussie pacer to their squad for the upcoming season.

South Africa quick Shabnim Ismail, Sarah Coyte and Georgia Prestwidge add class to the pace attack, while West Indies captain Hayley Matthews still strengthen both their top order and spin stocks.

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.

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

Coach: Simon Helmot

Overseas players signed: 3 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Sophie Molineux (c), Tayla Vlaeminck*, Georgia Wareham*, Harmanpreet Kaur (Ind), Shabnim Ismail (SA), Hayley Matthews (WI), Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Ellen Falconer, Ella Hayward, Carly Leeson, Rhiann O’Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Courtney Webb

In: Tayla Vlaeminck (Hurricanes), Sarah Coyte (Strikers), Georgia Prestwidge (Heat), Shabnim Ismail, Hayley Matthews

Out: Jemimah Rodrigues (Stars), Eve Jones (Eng), Jess Duffin

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Makinley Blows, Poppy Gardner

Melbourne Stars

The Stars have secured the signature of classy India batter Jemimah Rodrigues, which helps address the hole left at the top of the order by the departure of Elyse Villani, as well England rising star Alice Capsey.

However, it is unclear whether captain Meg Lanning will participate this season as she takes an indefinite break from cricket.

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: 1 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 11 out of 15

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

In: Sasha Moloney (Hurricanes), Sophie Reid, Jemimah Rodrigues

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: 11 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, Holly Ferling, Lilly Mills, Chloe Piparo, Taneale Peschel

In: Maddy Green (NZ), Holly Ferling (Renegades)

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

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

Sydney Sixers

The Sixers have pulled off a major coup, signing the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler in England’s Sophie Ecclestone. The left-arm orthodox spinner has never appeared in the WBBL before, and her skills both with ball and in the lower-order with the bat will be a huge boost to the magenta team as they took to end a three-season streak outside of finals.

Who will fill the Sixers’ other overseas spot? That is the key remaining question hanging over a squad that otherwise appears to have remained relatively stable. Ellyse Perry re-signed, as expected, while the Sixers 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: 1 of 2

Spots filled on contract list: 11 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Ellyse Perry* (c), Ashleigh Gardner*, Alyssa Healy*, Sophie Ecclestone (Eng), Jade Allen, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Angela Genford

In: Sophie Ecclestone, Angela Genford (Hurricanes)

Out: Hayley Silver-Holmes (Hurricanes)

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Shafali Verma (Ind), Radha Yadav (Ind), Emma Hughes, Matilda Lugg, Angela Reakes

Sydney Thunder

There has not been too much news from the Thunder camp this off-season so far, but they did confirm contract extensions for Rachael Haynes, Hannah Darlington and Lauren Smith.

They have yet to reveal any overseas players, but had been understood to have agreed to terms with Heather Knight – however the England skipper will be sidelined until the end of the year after undergoing hip surgery, forcing a re-think at the Thunder.

WBBL|07 result: Seventh

Coach: Trevor Griffin

Overseas players signed: 0 of 3

Spots filled on contract list: 8 out of 15

WBBL|08 squad so far: Rachael Haynes*, Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jessica Davidson, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson

In: TBC

Out: Issy Wong (Hurricanes)

WBBL|07 squad members off contract: Smriti Mandhana (Ind), Deepti Sharma (Ind), Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Kate Peterson

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