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The Women’s Big Bash League is right around the corner, with a star-studded match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars set to kick it off on Thursday from North Sydney Oval.
Men’s Big Bash League:
Colin Munro – Brisbane Heat
Brisbane Heat’s first-round platinum player pick was Colin Munro. The 36-year-old added a great deal of experience to the Heat last season, having played for Perth Scorchers previously.
Munro scored 278 runs at an average of 34.75 last season, with a high score of 98 after falling agonisingly short of a century against the Sydney Thunder.
Historically, Brisbane has used a highly aggressive approach to T20 batting. Munro fits into this mould perfectly, with a T20i strike rate of 156.4. He is likely to open the batting with local superstar Josh Brown, who set the tournament alight last year scoring a quick 62 against the Sixers.
Munro is likely to miss the back end of the competition due to commitments in the UAE-based ILT20 tournament.
Corey Anderson – Hobart Hurricanes
Pick 22 of the draft went to the Hobart Hurricanes, choosing Corey Anderson. Despite playing professional cricket since 2006, this will be the 32-year-old’s first stint in the BBL.
He brings much-needed experience to the Tasmanian side, having played 31 T20is for the Kiwis with a further 152 domestic T20s. The middle-order batting allrounder has a T20i average of 24, striking at 138.17.
At one point in time, he had the record for the fastest-ever One Day International century. He’s no slouch with the ball either, having taken 50 20-over wickets.
Anderson is expected to be used as the finisher role with the bat for Hobart, with the top & middle order accounted for by the likes of captain Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott, Caleb Jewell and Tim David. Anderson has a lot to offer with the ball too, as he is the only left-armer in the Hurricanes' bowling ranks.
Hobart are spoilt for choice with the ball. The express pace of Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis will be complemented by the spin duo of Peter Hatzoglou and Paddy Dooley.
Women’s Big Bash:
Sophie Devine – Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers were faced with an impossible challenge, retaining either Sophie Devine or the number 2 ODI allrounder in the world, Marizanne Kapp. Ultimately, the Scorchers chose Devine.
She has been a WBBL regular, having spent 4 seasons at the Adelaide Strikers before moving to Perth for the 2020/21 season. She has an international batting average of 29.16 and a neat bowling economy of 6.39. She’s the 5th highest T20i run scorer of all time amassing 3091 runs to her name.
Devine will captain the Scorchers this season, who boast the likes of Australian international Beth Mooney, English keeper Amy Jones, and Australian leg spinner Alana King. The Scorchers have also made a huge domestic signing this season, stealing Stella Campbell from the Sixers.
Perth have only failed to make finals twice in the history of the competition and were champions in 2021/22.
Amelia Kerr – Brisbane Heat
Retaining Kerr was the obvious choice for the Heat. She has represented the Heat since 2019, playing 46 WBBL games in total.
She’s still yet to find her best form with the bat in the Big Bash, averaging 19.96 with a high score of 43. It’s her crafty leg spin that’s been her biggest asset so far, taking 52 wickets in 46 games. Her economical bowling throughout the middle overs has helped the Heat find success.
Brisbane's squad is very similar to last season, with the most outstanding change coming via the inclusion of South African batter Mignon du Preez. The Heat have strong options throughout the order. Openers Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne are reputed as highly destructive batters.
With the ball, they have quicks, Courtney Sippel and Nicola Hancock. Australia's left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen will link up with Kerr in the crucial overs of the game.
Jess Kerr – Sydney Sixers
The Kerr sisters have been separated this year as Jess leaves Queensland for the beaches of Sydney. Kerr is an exciting option for the Sixers, as her inswing bowling will nicely complement her fellow pace bowlers Maitlan Brown and Lauren Cheatle.
Last season, Kerr was called upon to bowl the death overs for the Heat as well as the all-important Power Surge. She is still relatively new to the international scene but her Wellington experience will aid her in this top-level WBBL.
On paper, the Sixers are one of the best batting sides. They entertain Australian internationals Ash Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Kiwi Suzie Bates.
Their bowling attack features youngsters in Jade Allen, Kate Peterson and Emma Hughes. Kerr's inclusion in the squad will give the Sixers a strong leader with the ball, with her hard-to-navigate swing will significantly increase the team’s bowling stocks.
Suzie Bates – Sydney Sixers
Jess Kerr is joined at the North Sydney outfit by fellow Kiwi Suzie Bates. Bates’ record speaks for itself, leading the Women's T20i run charts while recently passing 4000 runs. Just like Devine, Bates has been involved with the WBBL since its induction. She's played for Perth, and Adelaide, now joining the Sixers.
Her bowling is not to be underestimated, having taken 35 Big Bash wickets. Interestingly, Bates has developed into a spin bowler following a serious shoulder injury.
She decided to skip the draft, joining the competition through the unique direct nomination system, which is exclusive to the WBBL. This allows a player to contact a club directly, however, it means they receive less money than fellow internationals.
Bates is assumed to open alongside Aussie keeper Alyssa Healy, as this partnership put on a stand of 151 against the Renegades last season. The Sixers were runners-up last year, coming out second best against Bates' former team Adelaide. With their star power, Sydney are always a force to be reckoned with.
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