WBBL 10 Draft: The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 10 draft on September 1st has set the stage for an exhilarating new season of women’s cricket in Australia. With the 10th edition of the WBBL scheduled to showcase thrilling cricket action, teams have strategically assembled their squads to compete in the upcoming tournament.

Here’s a detailed overview of the draft results, including retained players, standout picks, and full team rosters:

WBBL 10 Draft – Notable Retentions

Sydney Sixers: Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr Sydney Thunder: Heather Knight Adelaide Strikers: Laura Wolvaardt

Platinum Signings

Hobart Hurricanes: Danni Wyatt, Chloe Tryon, Lizelle Lee Melbourne Renegades: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Alice Capsey Melbourne Stars: Deepti Sharma, Marizanne Kapp, Yastika Bhatia Brisbane Heat: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey, Nadine De Klerk Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine, Amy Jones, Hemalatha Dayalan Sydney Sixers: Amelia Kerr (Pre-Signed) Sydney Thunder: Chamari Athapaththu (Pre-Signed) Adelaide Strikers: Smriti Mandhana (Pre-Signed)

WBBL 10 Draft – Notable Passes

Adelaide Strikers: 1 pass Brisbane Heat: 1 pass Hobart Hurricanes: 1 pass Melbourne Stars: 1 pass Melbourne Renegades: 1 pass Perth Scorchers: 1 pass Sydney Sixers: 1 pass

WBBL 2024 Draft Highlights: Top Picks for Each Team

Hobart Hurricanes

• Danni Wyatt (England)
• Chloe Tryon (South Africa)
• Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

Sydney Sixers

• Sophie Ecclestone (England)
• Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
• Hollie Armitage (England)

Melbourne Renegades

• Deandra Dottin (West Indies)
• Hayley Matthews (Barbados)
• Alice Capsey (England)

Melbourne Stars

• Deepti Sharma (India)
• Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)
• Yastika Bhatia (India)

Sydney Thunder

• Heather Knight (England)
• Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)
• Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
• Georgia Adams (England)

Adelaide Strikers

• Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
• Smriti Mandhana (India)
• Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

Brisbane Heat

• Jemimah Rodrigues (India)
• Shikha Pandey (India)
• Nadine de Klerk (South Africa)

Perth Scorchers

• Sophie Devine (New Zealand)
• Amy Jones (England)
• Hemalatha Dayalan (India)

Full Squads for WBBL 2024

Adelaide Strikers: Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Eleanor Larosa, Katie Mack, Smriti Mandhana (India), Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

Brisbane Heat: Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Mikayla Wrigley, Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Shikha Pandey (India), Nadine de Klerk (South Africa)

Hobart Hurricanes: Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee (South Africa), Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Danni Wyatt (England), Chloe Tryon (South Africa)

Melbourne Renegades: Sarah Coyte, Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Nicole Faltum, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Sophie Molineux, Georgia Prestwidge, Naomi Stalenberg, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Melbourne Stars: Sophie Day, Kim Garth, Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Meg Lanning, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland, Deepti Sharma (India), Yastika Bhatia (India)

Perth Scorchers: Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo, Amy Jones (England), Hemalatha Dayalan (India)

Sydney Sixers: Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry, Kate Peterson, Courtney Sippel, Sophie Ecclestone (England), Hollie Armitage (England)

Sydney Thunder: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson, Heather Knight (England), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Georgia Adams (England)

ALSO READ: BBL Draft 2024-25: Draft Highlights, Final Squads, And Top Picks

With her elegant stroke play and powerful hitting, Mandhana has consistently made significant contributions to the Indian women’s cricket team. Her performances in major tournaments, including the ICC Women’s World Cup and T20 World Cup, have showcased her exceptional talent and ability to perform under pressure.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of her impact:

1. Batting Prowess and Consistency:

Aggression and Power: Mandhana is renowned for her aggressive batting style and ability to hit boundaries at will. Her powerful strokes and timing make her a nightmare for bowlers.
Consistency: She has consistently performed at the highest level in various T20 leagues, proving her reliability and ability to deliver under pressure.

2. Leadership and Experience:

Mentoring Younger Players: Mandhana’s experience and leadership qualities can be invaluable in guiding and mentoring younger players in the Strikers squad.

In-game Decision Making: Her ability to make sound decisions on the field, especially in crucial moments, can be a game-changer.

3. Fan Base and Brand Value:

Drawing Crowds: Mandhana’s immense popularity and fan base will undoubtedly attract more spectators to Strikers matches, contributing to increased revenue and excitement.

Boosting Brand Value: Her association with the team can enhance the Strikers’ brand value and visibility in the global cricket market.

In essence, Smriti Mandhana’s signing is a win-win situation for both the Adelaide Strikers and the WBBL. Her batting prowess, leadership, and fan appeal make her a valuable asset that can significantly contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming tournament.