Lock it in: All the squads for WBBL|09

The inaugural overseas draft, held in early September, brought an influx of big international names to WBBL|09, while clubs have also been locking away their strongest local talent.

The draft was one part of a major shake-up to the way clubs are building their squads this season.

There are no longer restrictions in place dictating how many CA-contracted players can sign with each club, and every club was able to sign up to three overseas players (not including replacement players).

This is a change from the past eight seasons, where clubs could sign a maximum of five 'marquee players' who were either CA-contracted Australians or overseas players.

Alongside the draft, six international players also made use of the freshly introduced ‘direct nomination’ mechanism, which allowed them to bypass the draft and instead negotiate directly with a team.

That route came with a caveat that players who signed through direct nomination would have their salaries capped at $61,750, some way short of the 'platinum' level salary from the draft, which sits at $110,000.

The new contracting system is underpinned by an increase in total payment pools for the clubs, with the WBBL's payment pool doubled to more than $732,000 per team each year.

Top WBBL players now have the potential to earn more than $100,0000 (plus superannuation) per season, with the average retainer doubling from $26,900 to close to $54,200, and the minimum retainer increasing by 30 per cent.

WBBL|09 will begin on October 19 and conclude with the final on December 2.

Here's how your club's list is shaping up following the inaugural overseas player draft, latest injury news and recent signings.

Adelaide Strikers

Interestingly, the reigning champions have decided gun outfielder and key batter Bridget Patterson will be their first-choice wicketkeeper to replace the retired Tegan McPharlin. With their Australian trio locked in alongside the likes of Amanda-Jade Wellington, Maddie Penna, Patterson and Katie Mack, the Strikers go into their title defence in a strong position, although the hamstring injury to Aussie quick Darcie Brown has her in doubt for their season opener. The Strikers retained Laura Wolvaardt, but a salary cap squeeze prevented them from drafting Deadra Dottin - although England newcomer Dani |Gibson is an exciting replacement. 

WBBL|08 result: Champions

Coach: Luke Williams

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

WBBL|09 squad so far: Georgia Adams (England), Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Dani Gibson (England), Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath (c), Anesu Mushangwe, Courtney Neale, Annie O'Neil, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

In: Georgia Adams, Dani Gibson, Courtney Neale

Out: Tegan McPharlin (retired), Deandra Dottin, Meagan Dixon

Brisbane Heat

Like the Strikers, the Heat kept the core of their squad locked in after re-signing the off-contract trio of Jess Jonassen, Georgia Voll and Laura Harris. With a good mix of experience and youth, the key for the Heat heading into the draft was choosing the right overseas talent to complement what is already a very strong group of domestic players – which they achieved when they kept Amelia Kerr and drafted batter-keeper Bess Heath, while they also pulled off a coup when they signed South Africa star Mignon du Preez via direct nomination. Teen quick Lucy Hamilton, who joined the Heat as a local replacement last season, has filled the final spot on their list, while Sarah Glenn has been secured as cover for Kerr, who will miss the early stages of the tournament. 

WBBL|08 result: Knocked out in The Challenger

Coach: Ash Noffke

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

WBBL|09 squad so far: Mignon du Preez (South Africa), Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Bess Heath (England), Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen (c), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll.

Replacement overseas player: Sarah Glenn (England)

In: Mignon du Preez (Hurricanes), Bess Heath (Stars), Lucy Hamilton 

Out: Danni Wyatt, Jess Kerr (Sixers), Zoe Cooke

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes finally snapped their finals drought last season but will be eager to go deeper into the playoffs this time around with new coach Jude Coleman at the helm. In good news for Canes fans, Nicola Carey has penned a new one-year deal while talented teenage leg-spinner Amy Smith will also remain in purple. They ensured Lizelle Lee would go nowhere when she signed via direct nomination, while they snapped up South Africa speedster Shabnim Ismail and England opener Bryony Smith in the draft. Rachel Trenaman signed but was then ruled out for the season after re-injuring her ACL.

WBBL|08 result: Knocked out in The Eliminator

Coach: Jude Coleman (new)

Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15 (plus one injury replacement player could be added)

WBBL|09 squad so far: Nicola Carey, Julia Cavanough, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee (South Africa), Emma Manix-Geeves, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Bryony Smith (England), Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Elyse Villani (c)

Injury list: Rachel Trenaman (ACL)  

In: Shabnim Ismail (Renegades), Bryony Smith, Tabatha Saville 

Out: Mignon du Preez (Heat), Hayley Jensen

Melbourne Renegades

The Renegades have been dealt two major injury blows, with captain Sophie Molineux (ACL) and quick Tayla Vlaeminck (shoulder) to miss the entire season through injury. But the club has drafted two of the world's most exciting players, with Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur wearing red again. Securing Matthews looks set to be a major win with the Windies superstar in some outrageously good form of late, dominating with the bat in the recent T20 series against the Aussies. England star Tammy Beaumont is back after a stint at the Thunder, rounding out an enviable overseas contingent. In exciting news, cross-code star Jess Duffin is back following her AFLW retirement, and the 'Gades will be boosted by the return of Georgia Wareham who missed last season as she rehabilitated a knee injury. 

WBBL|08 result: Seventh

Coach: Simon Helmot

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15 (two injury replacement players could be added)

WBBL|09 squad so far: Tammy Beaumont (England), Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Erica Kershaw, Hayley Matthews (c)(West Indies), Rhiann O'Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb 

Injury list: Sophie Molineux (ACL), Tayla Vlaeminck (shoulder)

In: Jess Duffin, Tammy Beaumont (Thunder)

Out: Shabnim Ismail (Hurricanes), Carly Leeson

Melbourne Stars

Meg Lanning is back! The Australian superstar missed last season while taking a break from the game and then missed the Ashes through illness but she will captain the Stars this summer and comes into the season in red-hot form after hitting three WNCL fifties for Victoria to start this summer. At the draft Jon Batty looked to bolster his batting with English talent, picking up Maia Bouchier and Alice Capsey, while another England star Sophia Dunkley was secured via direct nomination.

WBBL|08 result: Sixth

Coach: Jonathan Batty

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

WBBL|09 squad so far: Maia Bouchier (England), Alice Capsey (England), Sophie Day, Sophia Dunkley (England), Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Olivia Henry, Milly Illingworth, Meg Lanning (c), Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Jasmine Nevins, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland

In: Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley, Milly Illingworth, Jasmine Nevins

Out: Bess Heath (Heat), Jemimah Rodrigues, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Lucy Cripps, Hasrat Gill

Perth Scorchers

The Scorchers faced a serious dilemma at the draft when they were only able to retain one of Sophie Devine and Marizanne Kapp. They opted for the former, and were forced to bid goodbye to Kapp, who has a new home at Sydney Thunder. Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones arrived via direct nomination but while the Scorchers secured England opener Danni Wyatt in the draft, she has since withdrawn citing fatigue, leaving Perth on the hunt for a replacement with Nat Sciver-Brunt whispered to be set to join despite having skipped the draft. Former assistant coach Becky Grundy takes over the top job this season, replacing Aussie head coach Shelley Nitschke.

WBBL|08 result: Fifth

Coach: Becky Grundy (new)

Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15

WBBL|09 squad so far: Chloe Ainsworth, Zoe Britcliffe, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (New Zealand, c), Amy Edgar, Lisa Griffith, Amy Jones (England), Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Lauren Winfield-Hill (England)

Injury list: Charis Bekker (knee)

In: Amy Jones (Thunder), Stella Campbell (Sixers), Chloe Ainsworth, Lisa Griffith, Lauren Winfield-Hill (first six games)

Out: Marizanne Kapp (Thunder), Mathilda Carmichael (Sixers), Maddy Green, Holly Ferling, Georgia Wyllie

Sydney Sixers

The Sixers were the frontrunners throughout the WBBL|08 regular season before getting pipped in the final by the Strikers. Unfortunately, they were denied a chance to retain Sophie Ecclestone when the star England spinner was ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury, and they instead opted to draft Kiwi Jess Kerr and South Africa's Chloe Tryon, while Suzie Bates signed via direct nomination. They have added a couple of fresh local faces following the retirements of Nicole Bolton and Ange Reakes. Stella Campbell has departed to seek new opportunities with the Scorchers.

WBBL|08 result: Runners-up

Coach: Charlotte Edwards

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

WBBL|09 squad so far: Jade Allen, Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emma Hughes, Jess Kerr (New Zealand), Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry (c), Kate Peterson, Chloe Tryon (South Africa)

Replacement overseas player: Linsey Smith (England)

In: Jess Kerr (Heat), Chloe Tryon (Thunder), Mathilda Carmichael (Scorchers), Gabby Sutcliffe, Kate Pelle

Out: Nicole Bolton (retired), Ange Reakes (retired), Sophie Ecclestone, Stella Campbell (Scorchers), Angela Genford

Sydney Thunder

After a disappointing WBBL|08, the Thunder have a new coach in Lisa Keightley, with the experienced former Australian and England coach taking over from English mentor Trevor Griffin.  They were the only club to select three players at the draft, securing a trio of big names in England captain Heather Knight, Proteas star Marizanne Kapp and English quick Lauren Bell. The club then signed Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu as a replacement overseas player and with all four expected to be available throughout the season, the Thunder will have flexibility around which three overseas players are included in their XI. The Thunder have welcomed a bunch of new faces this season and have appointed Knight as new skipper, replacing the retired Rachael Haynes.

WBBL|08 result: Eighth

Coach: Lisa Keightley (new)

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

WBBL|09 squad so far: Sam Bates, Lauren Bell (England), Paris Bowdler, Hannah Darlington, Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Saskia Horley, Ebony Hoskin, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight (England, c), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson.

Replacement overseas player: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

In: Lauren Bell, Marizanne Kapp (Scorchers), Heather Knight, Ebony Hoskin, Claire Moore, Paris Bowdler, Chamari Athapaththu

Out: Rachael Haynes (retired), Chloe Tryon (Sixers), Tammy Beaumont (Renegades), Amy Jones (Scorchers), Jessica Davidson, Corinne Hall, Belinda Vakarewa 

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