Eight of the most promising cricketers from countries including Ireland, Netherlands, China and Thailand will have the opportunity to learn from and train alongside the world’s best this summer.

As part of its inaugural season, the Women’s Big Bash League will run a rookie program for players from associate and affiliate nations.

Players selected in the WBBL rookie program will spend two weeks training with one of the eight WBBL clubs, learning from the likes of Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning and allrounder Ellyse Perry while also potentially getting the chance to debut in the competition, if a contracted WBBL player is ruled out through injury.

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While the program is a golden opportunity for the rookies to mix with Australia’s – and the world’s – best cricketers, Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell thinks the rookies will also be able to teach the WBBL players a thing or two.

"At the ICC EAP trophy held in Japan in 2014 I had the privilege to spend a week with Samoa, Japan, PNG, Cook Islands and Vanuatu,” said Sydney Thunder captain Blackwell, who has worked as an ICC East Asia Pacific ambassador for three years.

“These nations play with such passion and with their own individual flair. Their players are elite athletes doing their best to be their best despite limited resources.

“I know all the players selected for these WBBL placements will soak up the experience and take what they learn back to help their national teams."

Players will be selected for the WBBL placements by CA women’s youth coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick during the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier tournament, which is being held in Thailand from November 28 – December 5.

“We are committed to developing cricket not only in our own backyard, but also internationally,” CA Senior Manager of Team Performance Belinda Clark said.

“With the WBBL clubs having already secured the signatures of a number of highly-credentialed Australian and international players, the Rookies will have the opportunity to train alongside and learn from the world’s best players.

“The program will also assist WBBL clubs in gauging talent of female players outside of traditional strongholds, potentially opening up a wider talent pool from which to recruit future WBBL squads.”