'Unfinished business': Mooney signs long-term Scorchers deal

Perth Scorchers fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief, with Beth Mooney confirming she has re-signed with the club for the next three WBBL seasons.

The Scorchers announced the news on Friday, two days out from the WBBL Draft, with prolific opener and keeper Mooney to remain in orange until at least the end of WBBL|12.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Mooney revealed she had received multiple attractive offers from rival clubs, but ultimately felt she had unfinished business with the Scorchers.

"One of the things that I've loved about the Scorchers is how they've welcomed me with open arms since I moved over there and it felt like home straight away," Mooney said.

"While it was a pretty easy decision, I still want to acknowledge that I got some decent offers from clubs that I've really respected and admired from afar.

"That's always disappointing to let people down, but at the same time, my heart still lies with the Scorchers, and I think I've still got some unfinished business there so I'm pretty pumped to have signed for three more years."

Scorchers squad (so far) for WBBL|10: Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo

 

Ins: Mikayla Hinkley (Heat) Outs: Taneale Peschel (Thunder)

 

WBBL|10 pre-signing: Sophie Devine (New Zealand)

 

WBBL|10 retention rights: Amy Jones, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt (all England)

 

WBBL|10 Draft picks: 8, 16, 17, 32

 

Local players off contract: Charis Bekker, Lisa Griffith, Zoe Britcliffe (local replacement player)

After missing the top four the following season, Perth returned to finals in WBBL|09, only to be knocked out by a Heat team full of momentum in the Challenger.

Mooney, a three-time WBBL champion having won two titles with Brisbane Heat before moving to Scorchers ahead of WBBL|06, said she was excited by the list the club was putting together as they eye another title.

Her unfinished business does not only pertain to on-field success, either, with Mooney adamant she wanted to help leave a lasting legacy at the club.

"(I want to) help the young kids develop their T20 game for sure, and perhaps create a bit of a dynasty there and win a couple more titles," she said.

"I think we've definitely got the team and the versatility within our line-up to do that.

"I thoroughly enjoy playing under Becky Grundy and Sophie Devine’s leadership as well ... they've probably got the best out of me as well."

New Zealand star Sophie Devine was locked in for another two years via the pre-signing mechanism ahead of the draft, coming ahead of the White Ferns announcing the allrounder will stand down as captain of their T20 team after the forthcoming World Cup.

Rising allrounder Amy Edgar also re-committed to the Perth club.

Mooney will fly to Melbourne this weekend for the second-ever WBBL overseas player draft, and offered some clues as to how the club might approach it with picks 8, 16, 17 and 32 up their sleeve.

"It'll be about trying to get the right balance and make-up of our squad once we've finalised those the remaining local spots, and (figure out) who's available for how many games as well," she said.

"I know some of the England players have put their name in the ring, but not for the whole tournament.

"So ideally, we get someone that's available the whole time, and perhaps target another bowler and a middle-order batter."

The Scorchers hold retention rights to England opener Danni Wyatt, who was drafted by the club last season but pulled out due to fatigue, and wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who can fit the brief of middle-order batter, but who will only be available for 6-9 games at the beginning of the tournament.

English opener Lauren Winfield-Hill is their other potential retention pick.