Full squads: How each club's list is shaping up for WBBL|12

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

On the eve of the season, the Weber WBBL|12 lists have come together after a busy signing period.

The clubs were permitted to have eight players on their list at the conclusion of WBBL|11, and 10 following the completion of the player movement window in December. Once the embargo lifted, they were free to fill the remainder of their 15-player lists.

The league announced significant changes to contracting for WBBL|12, including the scrapping of the overseas player draft, with the league returning to an open-market system through direct signings, which was in place prior to 2022.

There is no longer a minimum number of overseas players required to be contracted each season, with clubs free to build a squad made up entirely of local players if they choose.

Check out all the details about the changes here:

Here is where each team's list stands ahead of WBBL|12:   

Adelaide Strikers

WBBL|11 result: Sixth (3 wins, 4 losses, 3 no results)

  

Coach: Luke Williams

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Maia Bouchier (England)(Contracted until WBBL|12), Darcie Brown (W|13), Emma de Broughe (W|12), Maggie Clark (W|12), Sophie Ecclestone (England)(W|12), Ellie Johnston (W|12), Eleanor Larosa (W|12), Tahlia McGrath (W|12), Anesu Mushangwe (W|12), Bridget Patterson (W|12), Maddie Penna (W|12), Megan Schutt (W|13), Amanda-Jade Wellington (W|12), Ella Wilson (W|12), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)(W|12)

 

In: Maia Bouchier (Stars), Emma de Broughe (Renegades)

 

Out: Tammy Beaumont, Jemma Barsby (Thunder), Tabatha Saville

The Strikers fell one run short of returning to the finals last season, but it was a strange season for the Adelaide side, who had two games washed out and another abandoned after a ball was accidentally rolled into the pitch. It was an improvement on WBBL|10, but they did feel well off the pace of the other finalists. 

They've got a good core under contract including South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, and on the eve of the movement window opening announced they had retained Darcie Brown and Amanda-Jade Wellington. They have since re-signed Maddie Penna. 

Pleasingly for the Strikers, English spinner Sophie Ecclestone will return for a second season in blue. While Wolvaardt's signature has already been secured, her WBBL|11 opening partner Tammy Beaumont won't be returning after the club poached her compatriot Maia Bouchier from the Stars instead. Former Renegade Emma de Broughe has signed on ahead of WBBL|12, however the Strikers have lost Jemma Barsby to the Sydney Thunder.

In a huge blow to their bowling stocks, Darcie Brown has been ruled out of the tournament as she manages an ongoing back issue.

Brisbane Heat

WBBL|11 result: Eighth (0 wins, 9 losses, 1 no result)

  

Coach: Mark Sorell 

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Lily Bassingthwaighte (W|13), Bonnie Berry (W|12), Lucinda Bourke (W|12), Sianna Ginger, Sarah Glenn (W|12), Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen (W|12), Charli Knott (W|12), Annie O'Neil (W|13), Grace Parsons (W|12), Orla Prendergast (Ireland)(W|12), Georgia Redmayne (W|13), Catherine White (W|12), Mikayla Wrigley (W|12). Replacement player: Yastika Bhatia (India)  

 

In: Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Yastika Bhatia (India)

 

Outs: Chinelle Henry (Hurricanes), Jemimah Rodrigues, Nicola Hancock (Thunder), Nadine de Klerk (Thunder), Lauren Winfield-Hill 

The Heat have a point to prove after not only missing finals for the first time in seven seasons but also becoming the first team to go winless through an entire season in the process. 

The good news for the Heat is they've locked away senior players Grace Harris and new skupper Georgia Redmayne, while WBBL|11 Young Gun award winner and recent Australia debutant Lucy Hamilton is also secured for next season. The Heat also ensured to lock in several of their young talents for WBBL|12, including Bonnie Berry, Annie O'Neil and Grace Parsons.

Unfortunately, a hip complaint has ruled former skupper Jess Jonassen out of the entire summer and she has been replaced by India's Yastika Bhatia.

English spinner Sarah Glenn has signed on with the Heat for the full WBBL|12 campaign. After being flown in as an overseas replacement player for the closing matches of WBBL|11, Glenn took an impressive 4-18 against the Sydney Thunder to give her side hope of a long-awaited win.

Joining Glenn is exciting Irish young gun Orla Prendergast, with the pace-bowling allrounder joining her second Big Bash club after a previous stint with the Strikers.

Hobart Hurricanes

WBBL|11 result: Champions

 

Coach: Jude Coleman

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Chamari Athapaththu (W|12), Nicola Carey (W|13), Heather Graham (W|13), Ella Hayward (W|13), Chinelle Henry (West Indies)(W|12), Ruth Johnston (W|12), Lizelle Lee (W|13), Kate Pelle (W|12), Hayley Silver-Holmes (W|13), Amy Smith (W|12), Lauren Smith (W|13), Linsey Smith (England)(W|12), Molly Strano (W|13), Rachel Trenaman (W|13), Callie Wilson (W|12)

 

Ins: Ella Hayward (Stars), Chinelle Henry (Heat), Chamari Athapaththu (Thunder)

 

Outs: Elyse Villani (retired), Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England), Kathryn Bryce (Scotland), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (injury), Isabella Malgioglio

The Hurricanes did a terrific job of keeping their core local group together in recent seasons as they built towards their first ever appearance in a WBBL final, though they will be without their captain Elyse Villani this season, after she announced her retirement from the competition shortly after leading her side to its inaugural title victory.

They will also be without England superstar Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who has told the club she is sitting out WBBL|12 after an injury-hampered home summer. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was also slated to return, however was ruled out of the tournament only days before the season opener due to injury.

Sri Lankan allrounder Chamari Athapaththu will in turn join the Hurricanes after departing the Thunder, while Linsey Smith is confirmed to return for WBBL|12 and West indies allrounder Chinelle Henry has signed on from the Heat.  

Heather Graham and Molly Strano were two players the Hurricanes worked swiftly to secure before the movement window opened after certain interest from their home states. The 'Canes added to their spin cohort after plucking uncapped Melbourne Star Ella Hayward, who previously featured in 40 matches for the Renegades.

Melbourne Renegades

WBBL|11 result: Fifth (5 wins, 5 losses)

  

Coach: Gavan Twining (new)

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Deandra Dottin (West Indies)(W|12), Nicole Faltum (W|12), Tess Flintoff (W|12), Milly Illingworth (W|13), Sara Kennedy (W|12), Hayley Matthews (West Indies)(W|12), Sophie Molineux (W|12), Olivia Porter (W|12), Sophie Reid (W|12), Chloe Tyron (South Africa)(W|12), Tayla Vlaeminck (W|13), Georgia Wareham (W|12), Courtney Webb (W|12), Annie Wikman (W|12), Lucy Wilson (W|12)

 

Ins: Olivia Porter, Annie Wikman, Sophie Reid (Stars), Lucy Wilson

 

Outs: Alice Capsey (Sixers), Charis Bekker, Emma de Broughe (Strikers), Sarah Coyte (Sixers), Davina Perrin, Issy Wong, Naomi Stalenberg (Stars)

In excellent news for the Renegades, they've got their biggest local names locked in and, in massive signing news, Hayley Matthews is back. They missed the West Indies superstar in WBBL|11 after she withdrew due to shoulder surgery, and her return is a huge boost in all facets of the game.

Deandra Dottin has also re-signed, but there was a blow with news that Alice Capsey is heading to the Sixers this season, however. Chloe Tyron has also joined the Renegades to complete the club's international cohort, with the South African allrounder set to represent her fourth WBBL club following stints at the Hurricanes, Sixers and Thunder.

Of the local crew, the Renegades have boosted their pace stocks, re-signing Tayla Vlaeminck and Sara Kennedy, while Sarah Coyte has returned to the Sixers. Wicketkeeper-batter Sophie Reid has also jumped over to the Renegades after a multi-season stint with the Stars.

After bidding farewell to title-winning coach Simon Helmot, the Gades appointed Australia assistant Gavan Twining as his replacement. Following the departure of Emma de Broughe to the Strikers, the 'Gades have recruited ACT Meteors duo Annie Wikman and Olivia Porter to bolster their batting stocks. Bowler Charis Bekker, meanwhile, has walked away from cricket and moved to the USA to study.

Melbourne Stars

WBBL|11 result: Fourth (Lost the Knockout)

  

Coach: Richard Pyrah (new)

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Tia Davidge (W|12), Sophie Day (W|12), Charlie Dean (England)(W|12), Kim Garth (W|12), Dani Gibson (England)(W|12), Maisy Gibson (W|12), Amy Jones (England)(W|12), Meg Lanning (W|13), Carly Leeson (W|12), Rhys McKenna (W|12), Indigo Noble (W|12), Georgia Prestwidge (W|12), Zoe Samuel (W|12), Naomi Stalenberg (W|12), Annabel Sutherland (W|12)

 

Ins: Charlie Dean (England), Zoe Samuel, Naomi Stalenberg (Renegades), Tia Davidge

 

Outs: Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Maia Bouchier (Strikers), Sophie Reid (Renegades), Ines McKeon (Scorchers), Sasha Moloney

Re-signing the trio of Annabel Sutherland, Meg Lanning and Kim Garth was priority No.1 for the Stars heading into the player movement window. After returning to the finals off the back of a five-year absence, keeping their core group together was imperative, and with seven players signed, there's plenty of room to strengthen their list with some extra power hitting down the order. They added to that by securing returns for English duo Dani Gibson and Amy Jones, while key spinner Sophie Day and Rhys McKenna, who found herself in a new opening role in WBBL|11, are both locked in. Bowlers Georgia Prestwidge and Maisy Gibson have also re-signed for the upcoming summer, while former ACT Meteor Carly Leeson will join her fourth WBBL franchise.

However, South Africa allrounder Marizanne Kapp pulled out of the final year of her contract with the Proteas facing a busy international schedule with a multi-format series against India starting just days after the WBBL season. The Stars moved quickly to find a replacement, signing England vice-captain Charlie Dean – an off-spinning allrounder – for her first Big Bash season. 

The Stars have also locked in a new head coach, signing Yorkshire's Richard Pyrah for the next two seasons, after Andy Christie stepped back into an assistant role with the club. Meanwhile, Annabel Sutherland has decided to step down as captain for WBBL|12, with former skipper Meg Lanning to take the reins for the upcoming season.

Perth Scorchers

WBBL|11 result: Runners-up

 

Coach: Becky Grundy

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Chloe Ainsworth (W|12), Sophie Devine (New Zealand)(W|12), Amy Edgar (W|13), Mikayla Friday (W|12), Ebony Hoskin (W|12), Freya Kemp (England)(W|12), Alana King (W|12), Katie Mack (W|12), Ines McKeon (W|12), Lilly Mills (W|12), Beth Mooney (W|12), Taneale Peschel (W|12), Chloe Piparo (W|12), Fatima Sana (Pakistan)(W|12), Ruby Strange (W|12)

 

Ins: Fatima Sana (Pakistan), Ines McKeon (Stars), Taneale Peschel (Thunder)

 

Out: Maddy Darke (Sixers), Paige Scholfield (England), Shay Manolini

The biggest local names are locked away, with Beth Mooney, Alana King and Katie Mack all on the books for WBBL|12 alongside rising quick Chloe Ainsworth. The Scorchers have also secured the services of New Zealand's Sophie Devine and England's Freya Kemp both of whom will return this season as overseas signings.

Their biggest move has come in securing Pakistan captain Fatima Sana as their third overseas player for the opening eight games of the season. The star 24-year-old allrounder is her country's leading batter and bowler in women's T20 internationals and will play in the Big Bash for the first time this summer. She will become only the second Pakistan woman to appear in the WBBL, following Nida Dar's 11 matches for Sydney Thunder in WBBL|05.

The Scorchers have retained majority of their list from last season, although have list Maddy Darke to the Sixers and opted not to sign England's Paige Scholfield. Opening batter and wicketkeeper Ines McKeon has returned home from the Stars, while Taneale Peschel will resume her career in Scorchers orange after two seasons with the Sydney Thunder.

Sydney Sixers

WBBL|11 result: Third (Lost in the Challenger)

  

Coach: Peter Clarke (new)

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Caoimhe Bray (W|12), Maitlan Brown (W|13), Erin Burns (W|12), Alice Capsey (England)(W|12), Lauren Cheatle (W|13), Sarah Coyte (W|12), Sophia Dunkley (England)(W|12), Ashleigh Gardner (W|13), Elsa Hunter (W|12), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)(W|12), Grace Lyons (W|12), Frankie Nicklin (W|12), Ellyse Perry (W|13), Eva Ragg (W|13), Courtney Sippel (W|12)

 

Ins: Frankie Nicklin, Maddy Darke (Scorchers), Sarah Coyte (Renegades), Eva Ragg, Grace Lyons

 

Outs: Alyssa Healy (retired), Mady Villiers (England), Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Kua, Emma Manix-Geeves

NSW Breakers mentor Peter Clarke takes over as head coach after Matthew Mott moved to the Sixers' men's side. Rising coach Clarke led the NSW women's team to last season's WNCL final in his first campaign at the helm and will no doubt be hoping for more of the same with the Sixers. He inherits a list in solid shape, having confirmed all eight spots they were permitted to fill heading into the embargo period.

They'll undergo one massive change in WBBL|12 however, following Aussie great Alyssa Healy's retirement from all cricket, leaving a massive gap in the top order and behind the stumps that the Sixers need to fill ahead of next season. Maddy Darke was poised to help bridge the gap after moving over from the Scorchers on a multi-year deal, however will miss the entirety of WBBL|12 with a stress fracture. ACT Meteors 'keeper Grace Lyons has been signed in her place, while Alice Capsey has also emerged as another option after moving away frin the Renegades.

The Sixers have solved part of the opening puzzle via the signing of English opener Sophia Dunkley, who pieced together a standout campaign in magenta in WBBL|11 and is coming off an equally prolific, title-winning season in The Hundred for Trent. 

The Sixers have also recruited veteran bowler Sarah Coyte from the Renegades, while Eva Ragg rounds out the list after being part of the Thunder's squad for this year's Spring Challenge.

Sydney Thunder

WBBL|11 result: Seventh (4 wins, 5 losses, 1 no result)

 

Coach: Lisa Keightley

 

List spots filled: 15

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Jemma Barsby (W|12), Sam Bates (W|12), Lauren Bell (England) (W|12), Hannah Darlington (W|13), Nadine de Klerk (South Africa) (W|12), Lucy Finn (W|13), Hasrat Gill (W|12), Nicola Hancock (W|12), Laura Harris (W|12), Heather Knight (England)(W|12), Anika Learoyd (W|12), Phoebe Litchfield (W|13), Claire Moore (W|12), Georgia Voll (W|13), Tahlia Wilson (W|13)

 

Ins: Nicola Hancock (Heat), Jemma Barsby (Strikers), Lauren Bell (England), Nadine de Klerk (Heat), Claire Moore

 

Outs: Chamari Athapaththu (Hurricanes), Ella Briscoe, Sienna Eve, Taneale Peschel (Scorchers), Shabnim Ismail, Em Arlott  

The Thunder have confirmed a return for veteran England star Heather Knight for what will be her fifth season with the club. Knight announced her international retirement mid-year, and moved into an administrative role for The Hundred, but remains committed to playing the WBBL where her support for second-year skipper Phoebe Litchfield is a key attraction.

Knight was the first addition to the Thunder roster following the lifting of the contracting embargo, and the club have also bolstered their pace attack signing Nicola Hancock from the Heat. England quick Lauren Bell is also confirmed to return for the Thunder for the entire season, adding even more power and pace to its bowling brigade, while they've also poached star South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk from the Heat.

While WBBL|11 didn't pan out the way they wanted, they have a great mix of youth, experience and star power already locked away for next season and fans have plenty to be excited about. 

After originally signing a three-year deal, the Thunder have opted to not activate the third-year option in Chamari Athapaththu's contract, freeing up their eighth list spot to go to Tahlia Wilson. It was enough to fend off an attempt from the Sixers to poach the keeper-batter who was a travelling reserve with Australia's T20 World Cup winning squad this year.

The Thunder have brought in experience to both its bowling and batting stocks, recruiting veterans Nicola Hancock and Jemma Barsby from the Heat and Strikers respectively.