6 SA Cricketers Ready to Set WBBL09 Alight

Women’s BBL is ready to set the cricket stadiums around Australia ablaze when the Sydney Sixers Women take on Melbourne Stars Women on 19 October at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney, Australia.

An innovative and well-established league that features eight city teams for both men and women cricketers, the WBBL has received a steady increase of media coverage since its inception.

Considered one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the world that terrifies the batters, Shabnim Ismail is set to bring the force and power of a hurricane as she is welcomed into the Hobart Hurricanes team. 

Speaking to gsport, Hurricanes fast bowler Shabnim Ismail says she is happy to have been picked up in the first round of the draft. Playing for Sydney Thunder and the Melbourne Renegades was good, but it is always nice to have change:

“I am chuffed to be playing for the Hurricanes. I am hoping to place some good cricket and make a difference with the team, as that is always my goal when I come into a team, to make an impact and difference in the games.”

Hobart Hurricanes pace bowler, Shabnim Ismail

Ismail started her WBBL career with the Melbourne Renegades before she spent time with the Thunder. She was the first International Player male or female to win the Player of the Final with Sydney Thunder in WBBL06, when she bowled a match winning spell of 2/12. Shibz as she is affectionately known, is hoping to bring that energy and fire to her new family. 

“The preparation going into this tournament has been good,” said Ismail. “I have played some domestic cricket for the Lions back home, and that has been going well for me. I have been training at DP World Wanderers Stadium and the outdoor net sessions has been extremely good for me.”

“I am excited and looking forward to be playing some good cricket here for the Hobarts. It is very cold here, but the team looks very chilled, relaxed and is one very happy family, and I am excited to be joining them.”

The WBBL attracts current and former Australian female players along with an array of overseas players, and this year, six South African female cricketers were movers and shakers in the player draft.

Big hitting proteas all-rounder Chloe Tryon joins the Sydney Sixers for the opening game. Tryon previously played for the Sydney Thunder but there was no thunder for her in the last edition of the tournament. Coming off two successful T20 series with her home country, Tryon will be looking to capitalise on that form and hit those sixes for the Sydney Sixers.

Pace-bowler and Player of the Final in WBBL07 for the Perth Scorchers, Marizanne Kapp, joins Sydney Thunder. Kapp has played with the Scorchers for the past two season but in the inaugural WBBL player draft held in September, Scorchers chose not to use their player retention card and was snapped by the Thunder. Kapp is known for being a dangerous and powerful middle-order striker with the bat. It goes without saying that she can also step up on the big stage when it is needed with bat and ball. Can she bring the Thunder that the Sydney Thunder needs this season, only time will tell.

You will never see a more elegant and sweeter cover drive than the one that comes off the bat of Laura Wolvaardt. Adelaide Strikers retained the 24-year-old South African in what will be her fourth consecutive season with the Strikers. Wolvaardt was instrumental in the Strikers lifting the trophy in 2022. The stylish and inform right-handed batter comes into this tournament with a strike rate of 123.2 in five T20 innings and will be hoping to lift that trophy once again with her team. 

Fiery as Heat, Mignon du Preez joins Brisbane Heat via direct nomination. The Heat franchise has a balanced mixture of experience and youth and du Preez is the perfect fit the team was knocked out in the Challenger last year. “Minx” has been getting in some runs in domestic cricket back in South Africa with her Team Recon Tactical Free State, and that will greatly boost her confidence as she wears the dark Turquoise and White in WBBL09. 

Lizelle Lee, was retained by the Hobart Hurricanes, by direct nomination. Lee started off with the Melbourne Stars but was snapped by the Hurricanes where she played alongside fellow South African Mignon du Preez. 

From friends to foes, this years’ WBBL is sure to be as dangerous as a Hurricane, with blasts of Thunder. Beware as lightening does not always Strike twice, or can it? Will they be as cheeky as a Renegade or will they rise like the Stars on a dark night, in Scorching heat, as it rains Sixers. The competition gets under way on Thursday 19 October and the final will be played on Saturday, 2 December.

Main Photo Caption: Hobart Hurricanes pace bowler, Shabnim Ismail told gsport: ““I am chuffed to be playing for the Hurricanes. I am hoping to place some good cricket and make a difference with the team, as that is always my goal when I come into a team, to make an impact and difference in the games.” Photo: Hobart Hurricanes on Instagram

Photo 2 Caption: The tearaway South African pace bowler started her WBBL career with the Melbourne Renegades before she spent time with the Thunder. Ismail was the first International Player male or female to win the Player of the Final with Sydney Thunder in WBBL06, when she bowled a match winning spell of 2/12. Photo: Hobart Hurricanes on Instagram

Photo 3 Caption: Former SA international Lizelle Lee joins Ismail at Hobart Hurricanes, after she was retained by the Hobart Hurricanes, by direct nomination. Photo: Hobart Hurricanes on Instagram

Photo 4 Caption: Proteas Women skipper Laura Wolvaardt was retained by Adelaide Strikers for her fourth consecutive season with the team the South African opening batter was instrumental in helping lifting the trophy, in the WBBL’s 2022 season. Photo: Laura Wolvaardt on Instagram