Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma were the standout selections in the platinum round of the second Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) overseas draft. Rodrigues, who has formed a successful partnership with Jess Jonassen in both the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), was chosen first by Brisbane Heat. Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma became the top pick for the Melbourne Stars.
Rodrigues and Jonassen's existing camaraderie from their time together at Delhi Capitals and Trinbago Knight Riders is expected to strengthen the Brisbane Heat lineup. Deepti, on the other hand, has already shared the field with Stars' captain Meg Lanning, playing together for London Spirit during their title-winning campaign in the Women's Hundred.
Hobart Hurricanes, holding the first pick in the draft, secured Danni Wyatt after missing out on Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight, and Laura Wolvaardt, who were retained by Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, and Adelaide Strikers, respectively. Melbourne Renegades, with the third pick, chose Deandra Dottin in the platinum category. Dottin, who recently reversed her international retirement, was also included in West Indies' squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Pre-signed by Renegades, Hayley Matthews was also given the platinum category, despite being selected in the second round. Notably, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, a former Renegades player, was not picked in the draft.
Brisbane Heat added Shikha Pandey to their squad, with Nadine de Klerk, their pre-draft signing, classified in the bronze category. This will be Pandey's first WBBL season, though she has previous experience playing club cricket in Queensland with several Heat players. She reunites with her Capitals and TKR teammates, Rodrigues and Jonassen.
Melbourne Stars also selected wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia as their third pick, while Alice Capsey was drafted by Melbourne Renegades.
Perth Scorchers brought in D Hemalatha, who is familiar with Beth Mooney from their time together at Gujarat Giants in the WPL. The Scorchers allocated the platinum category to their pre-signed captain, Sophie Devine, and also selected Amy Jones, who was part of their squad last year, in the gold category.
In the final round, Adelaide Strikers chose Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast, who has shown promise as a middle-order batter and seam bowler. Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath expressed excitement about Prendergast's potential, noting that she hasn't had much exposure to overseas leagues but has a bright future ahead.
With Amelia Kerr pre-signed by Sydney Sixers as a platinum-category player, the Sixers are set to have a formidable spin-bowling duo alongside Sophie Ecclestone. Northern Superchargers top-order batter Hollie Armitage was the final pick for the Sixers, rounding out the draft for coach Charlotte Edwards.
This season will feature six Indian players, the most in any edition of the WBBL to date.
WBBL Draft Selections:
- Hobart Hurricanes: Danni Wyatt (platinum), Chloe Tryon (gold), Lizelle Lee (retained, gold)
- Sydney Sixers: Sophie Ecclestone (retained, platinum), Amelia Kerr (pre-signed, platinum), Hollie Armitage (bronze)
- Melbourne Renegades: Deandra Dottin (platinum), Hayley Matthews (pre-signed, platinum), Alice Capsey (gold)
- Melbourne Stars: Deepti Sharma (platinum), Marizanne Kapp (pre-signed, platinum), Yastika Bhatia (silver)
- Sydney Thunder: Heather Knight (retained, platinum), Shabnim Ismail (platinum), Chamari Athapaththu (pre-signed, gold), Georgia Adams (bronze)
- Adelaide Strikers: Laura Wolvaardt (retained, platinum), Smriti Mandhana (pre-signed, silver), Orla Prendergast (bronze)
- Brisbane Heat: Jemimah Rodrigues (platinum), Shikha Pandey (gold), Nadine de Klerk (bronze)
- Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine (pre-signed, platinum), Amy Jones (gold), D Hemalatha (silver)