English veteran to make Big Bash return, joins Stars

Melbourne Stars have revealed their third and final overseas player for the upcoming Weber WBBL season, signing England veteran Lauren Winfield-Hill.

Winfield-Hill comes into WBBL|08 off the back of a strong campaign for champions Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, where she was the tournament’s fourth-highest run scorer, averaging 54.75 with a strike rate above 136.

The experienced batter also took the gloves for the Invincibles and could provide back-up for regular Stars ‘keeper Nicole Faltum.

The Stars will be Winfield-Hill’s fourth WBBL club, having previously played 41 matches for Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers.

"I’m really looking forward to joining up with the Stars, meeting the girls, the staff and the fans," Winfield-Hill said.

"I feel like I’m in a good space with my game at the moment and in some decent form so let’s hope that continues with the Stars.

"The group is a lovely blend of familiar faces for me with Jemi (Rodrigues), Caps (Alice Capsey) and JB (Jonathan Batty) but also some exciting youngsters who I'm looking forward to getting around.

"The WBBL is a great competition and I’m chuffed to be a part of it again."

Winfield-Hill is the third overseas player confirmed for the Stars, joining fellow top-order batters Jemimah Rodrigues and Alice Capsey.

The trio’s prowess with the bat will be crucial, with captain Meg Lanning’s involvement in WBBL|08 up in the air as she takes an indefinite break from cricket.

"Lauren is a quality person and quality cricketer and it's great to secure her signature for WBBL|08," Stars general manager Blair Crouch said.

"She has been in red hot form in the Hundred and we hope she can continue that run of form when she arrives in Australia.

"Along with our coach, Jonathan Batty, I'm thrilled with the international talent we've been able to assemble and we look forward to announcing our final couple of list spots this month."

The Stars have two local player spots left to confirm for WBBL|08, which begins with a blockbuster clash between the Sixers and the Heat in Mackay on October 13.

Melbourne Stars WBBL|08 squad so far: Meg Lanning (CA contracted), Annabel Sutherland (CA contracted), Jemimah Rodrigues (Ind), Lauren Winfield-Hill (Eng), Alice Capsey (Eng), Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid

Tickets for Weber WBBL and KFC BBL games are on sale now. Get yours at cricket.com.au/big-bash