Full squads: Every club's list (so far) for WBBL|10

Strikers | Heat | Hurricanes | Renegades | Stars | Scorchers | Sixers | Thunder

Preparations for the milestone 10th season of the Weber WBBL continue to ramp up as clubs lock in their squads.

At the September 1 WBBL Draft each side locked in their three international players and we saw the league's new multi-year contracting mechanism in action.

It comes after a new season structure was revealed, with the home-and-away stage reduced to a 10-match campaign in line with the men's competition.

Adelaide Strikers

WBBL|09 result: Champions (11 wins, 3 losses), defeated Brisbane Heat in the final

  

Coach: Luke Williams

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston, Eleanor Larosa, Katie Mack, Smriti Mandhana (India), Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

 

Ins: Smriti Mandhana (India), Eleanor Larosa, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Ellie Johnston (Heat), Maggie Clark

 

Outs: Georgia Adams (Thunder), Dani Gibson, Courtney Neale, Annie O'Neil, Ella Wilson

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Smriti Mandhana (India), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

The two-time reigning champions have pulled off one of the biggest signing coups of the off-season, landing India superstar Smriti Mandhana as a pre-signing ahead of the draft. There were no surprises with their retention pick of Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt but the selection of Orla Prendergast was one not many saw coming.

They also have their biggest local names already locked in for WBBL|10, including Aussie stars Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown. Their depth is a strength – so much so, they did not even use all three of their overseas players on occasions last season. The unexpected move to hand Bridget Patterson the gloves proved a stroke of genius. With such a solid core of local talent, the overseas players they draft are the icing on the cake.

Brisbane Heat

WBBL|09 result: Runners-up (8 wins, 6 losses), defeated by Adelaide Strikers in the final

  

Coach: Mark Sorell (new)

 

Spots filled on contract list: 14 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey (India), Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues (India) Mikayla Wrigley. Replacement players: Lauren Winfield-Hill (England)

 

Ins: Bonnie Berry, Sianna Ginger, Mikayla Wrigley, Nadine de Klerk, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey 

 

Outs: Georgia Voll (Thunder), Courtney Sippel (Sixers), Amelia Kerr (Sixers), Mikayla Hinkley (Scorchers), Mignon du Preez, Bess Heath, Ellie Johnston (Strikers) 

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Shikha Pandey (India), Nadine de Klerk (South Africa)

The Heat have a new coach at the helm, with Mark Sorell replacing Ashley Noffke, who has taken on a coaching role in New Zealand. Another team with a strong core of local players, the Heat have locked in the majority of their squad.

The Indian influence was strong for the Heat on draft night, going with Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey with their first two selections and locking in their pre-signing Nadine de Klerk with their third. Rodrigues will not join the club until early November so foundation Heat player Lauren Winfield-Hill has been signed as a replacement player for the opening two matches. 

But Brisbane will take a somewhat new-look squad into WBBL|10 following a series of high-profile departures. Rising star Georgia Voll has signed with the Thunder after four seasons in teal and Mikayla Hinkley is headed west, while on the international front, the Heat have lost New Zealand superstar Amelia Kerr, who has been lured to the Sixers on a three-year deal. Rising quick Courtney Sippel is also headed to the Sixers, while South African Mignon du Preez has announced she is expecting twins later this year, meaning there will be at least two fresh internationals on the Heat list this season.

The Heat have looked to future, signing three talented young locals in Bonnie Berry, Sianna Ginger and Mikayla Wrigley. 

Hobart Hurricanes

WBBL|09 result: Sixth (6 wins, 7 losses, 1 no result)

 

Coach: Jude Coleman

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Nicola Carey, Zoe Cooke, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee (South Africa), Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Chloe Tryon (South Africa), Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England) Associate rookie: Kathryn Bryce (Scotland) Replacement players: Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

 

Ins: Lauren Smith (Thunder), Chloe Tryon (Sixers), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Scorchers), Callie Wilson, Suzie Bates (Sixers), Zoe Cooke, Kathryn Bryce

 

Outs: Naomi Stalenberg (Renegades), Maisy Gibson (Stars), Shabnim Ismail (Thunder), Bryony Smith

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Danni Wyatt (England), Chloe Tryon (South Africa), Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

 

Local players off contract: Emma Manix-Geeves, Julia Cavanough

The Hurricanes have a very similar local group to the state side that has won three consecutive WNCL titles, but they have not been able to replicate that success in the WBBL, with just one finals appearance in the last seven seasons.

Their first three selections on Draft night were all retained but they stole Danni Wyatt-Hodge from the Scorchers with their first pick. The South African pair Chloe Tryon and Lizelle Lee bring explosive power. Suzie Bates will arrive for the back end of the season after Wyatt-Hodge leaves for England's tour of South Africa.

A lack of consistency in the batting was a concern last season and they did not get the contribution they would have wanted from English batter Bryony Smith in her first WBBL season. The spin stocks are strong - particularly following the addition of Lauren Smith - but the pace depth is lacking a bit. In good news for the club, key players Elyse Villani, Nicola Carey and Lizelle Lee have now been re-signed.

Unfortunately, Rachel Trenaman appears set to miss the entire season as she continues her recovery from a serious knee injury.

Melbourne Renegades

WBBL|09 result: Eighth (2 wins, 12 losses)

  

Coach: Simon Helmot

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Alice Capsey (England), Sarah Coyte, Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Nicole Faltum, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Sara Kennedy, Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Sophie Molineux, Georgia Prestwidge, Linsey Smith (ENG), Naomi Stalenberg, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb. Associate rookie: Tara Norris (USA) 

 

Ins: Alice Capsey (Stars), Deandra Dottin, Nicole Faltum (Stars), Milly Illingworth (Stars), Naomi Stalenberg (Hurricanes)

 

Outs: Jess Duffin (retired), Harmanpreet Kaur, Tammy Beaumont, Ellen Falconer, Erica Kershaw, Rhiann O'Donnell 

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Alice Capsey (England)

The Renegades will automatically be strengthened this season by the return of Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck, who both missed the entirety of WBBL|09 due to injury.

In more good news for Gades fans, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews will remain in red, after being signed on a one-year deal ahead of the draft, while wicketkeeper-batter Nicole Faltum and rising quick Milly Illingworth have swapped Melbourne allegiances, moving from the Stars. Alice Capsey was nicked from their crosstown rivals on Draft night too, while Deandra Dottin was a surprise first-round selection.

The Renegades' spin stocks in particular look healthy, with two Aussie stars in Molineux and Georgia Wareham joined by off-spinners Matthews and Ella Hayward, while re-signing Vlaeminck and adding Illingworth means they boast a strong four-pronged pace attack.

The re-signing of batter Emma de Broughe and the addition of Naomi Stalenberg from the Hurricanes will bolster their batting depth.

Melbourne Stars

WBBL|09 result: Seventh (6 wins, 8 losses)

  

Coach: Jon Batty

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Yastika Bhatia (India), Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Maisy Gibson, Hasrat Gill, Liv Henry, Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Ines McKeon, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Deepti Sharma (India), Annabel Sutherland

 

Ins: Deepti Sharma, Marizanne Kapp (Thunder), Yastika Bhatia, Maisy Gibson (Hurricanes), Hasrat Gill, Ines McKeon

 

Outs: Nicole Faltum, Milly Illingworth, Alice Capsey (all Renegades), Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Deepti Sharma (India), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Yastika Bhatia (India)

The Stars have pulled off a major coup luring South Africa superstar Marizanne Kapp to the club for the next three seasons. Kapp, the ICC's top-ranked ODI allrounder, was drafted by the Sydney Thunder with pick No.1 in last year's overseas player draft. But she will reunite with captain Meg Lanning and coach Jon Batty at the Stars in Weber WBBL|10 after spending the past two Women's Premier League seasons playing under the pair at Delhi Capitals.

A pair of Indians rounded out the Stars' Draft night selections, with allrounder Deepti Sharma picked up in the first round and Yastika Bhatia in the third.

Her inclusion is a huge boost after the Stars missed the finals yet again last season. They also have an exciting group of local players on the books that should provide a strong foundation. The low contributions from their trio of English batters hurt last season – especially when coupled with the absence of Meg Lanning towards the end of the season, and Tess Flintoff’s injuries that kept her off the park for the majority of it. 

Perth Scorchers

WBBL|09 result: Third (8 wins, 6 losses), defeated by Adelaide Strikers in the final

 

Coach: Becky Grundy

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Dayalan Hemalatha (India), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Ebony Hoskin, Amy Jones (England), Alana King, Carly Leeson, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo Associate rookie: Ni Made Putri Suwandewi (Indonesia)

 

Ins: Dayalan Hemalatha, Mikayla Hinkley (Heat), Ebony Hoskin (Thunder), Carly Leeson (Renegades), Ni Made Putri Suwandewi

 

Outs: Taneale Peschel (Thunder), Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Lauren Winfield-Hill

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Amy Jones (England), Hemalatha Dayalan (India)

Scorchers fans rejoice: captain Sophie Devine has been locked in on a new two-year contract, and Beth Mooney has signed for another three! Mooney revealed she had received a number of other offers, but she has unfinished business with the Scorchers. 

Amy Jones was an easy retention pick for the team from the west but they sprung a surprise by selecting India allrounder Dayalan Hemalatha in the third round.

The club returned to the finals last season, finishing second but were bundled out by the Heat.

Sydney Sixers

WBBL|09 result: Fifth (7 wins, 7 losses)

  

Coach: Charlotte Edwards

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Hollie Armitage (England), Caoimhe Bray, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone (England), Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Isabella Malgioglio, Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry, Kate Peterson, Courtney Sippel. Associate rookie: Sarah Bryce (Scotland)

 

Ins: Hollie Armitage (England), Caoimhe Bray, Amelia Kerr (Heat), Courtney Sippel (Heat), Isabella Malgioglio

 

Outs: Chloe Tryon (Hurricanes), Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Lindsey Smith

  

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Sophie Ecclestone (England), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Hollie Armitage (England)

 

Local players off contract: Jade Allen, Emma Hughes, Gabby Sutcliffe, Hannah Trethwey

The Sixers consistently have one of the best squads on paper, which is why it is baffling they have made finals just once in the last five seasons. But after luring New Zealand star Amelia Kerr and rising quick Courtney Sippel away from the Heat and signing both on three-year deals, that trend could change. 

They were delighted to be able to retain gun spinner Sophie Ecclestone on Draft night and added another Englishwoman in Hollie Armitage. Armitage is a versatile middle order batter who represented the Sixers all the way back in 2019.

The Sixers followed up an outstanding WBBL|08 campaign with another tough run last season, starting slow before falling short in their belated run at the top four. A season-ending injury to Alyssa Healy played a major role in that, as did an out-of-form Suzie Bates, forcing the Sixers to switch up their opening pair throughout the season and even experiment with Maitlan Brown at the top of the order. Losing the option to draft Sophie Ecclestone due to injury hurt big time, and Ashleigh Gardner was below her best with the bat, adding to their struggles. Not much needs to change here personnel-wise for the Sixers to return to the top four – they just need fitness and form in their favour.

The Sixers completed their list with the signing of 15-year-old rising star Caoimhe Bray, who is rapidly becoming a name to watch. Having just turned 15, Bray starred in an Australia U19 squad in October, hitting 84 runs and taking 4-20 in a 50-over match against New Zealand's U19s. She made her international soccer debut this year with the Junior Matildas as goalkeeper in the U17 Asia Cup, and the dual athlete has earned obvious comparisons to a young Ellyse Perry, who will no doubt take a mentor role at the Sixers.

Sydney Thunder

WBBL|09 result: Fourth (7 wins, 6 losses, 1 no result), defeated by Brisbane Heat in the Eliminator

 

Coach: Lisa Keightley

 

Spots filled on contract list: 15 out of 15 (plus a fourth international) 

 

Contracted for WBBL|10: Georgia Adams (England), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Sam Bates, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight (England), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson

 

Ins: Georgia Adams (Strikers), Ella Briscoe, Sienna Eve, Shabnim Ismail, Georgia Voll (Heat), Taneale Peschel (Scorchers)

 

Outs: Lauren Smith (Hurricanes), Marizanne Kapp (Stars), Lauren Bell, Paris Bowdler, Ebony Hoskin (Scorchers), Olivia Porter

 

WBBL|10 Draft selections: Heather Knight (England), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Georgia Adams (England)

The Thunder were the comeback story of last season, turning around a poor WBBL|08 that yielded just two wins with a return to the finals. Their young group run out of puff as finals approached but the signs of a very promising future were there.

With players like Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia Wilson and Hannah Darlington on the books, the Thunder have a strong foundation to build on and the signing of exciting 20-year-old Georgia Voll, who comes from the Heat on a three-year deal, is a big early win for the club.

The addition of Taneale Peschel, who has moved from the Scorchers, adds valuable experience to the pace attack. 

And perhaps most exciting is the news Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu will be back after signing a three-year contract. The only team to select four players at the Draft, they also secured the services of Heather Knight (retention) and poached Shabnim Ismail from Hobart and Georgia Adams from Adelaide.

They were the only club to draft four overseas players, and only three can be on the main contract list, or in a playing XI, at the one time. It does however provide cover, particularly given Heather Knight will leave before the end of the regular season.