WOMEN'S BBL

Anya Shrubsole signed up by Perth Scorchers

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

Perth Scorchers have also re-signed Katherine Brunt and roped in wicketkeeper Emily Smith © Cricbuzz

Perth Scorchers have signed Anya Shrubsole and re-signed Katherine Brunt while finalising the 15-member squad for the upcoming season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

Hailing the signing of the English pace pair, Lisa Keightley, Perth Scorchers coach, said, "I think they're the best opening bowling combination in world cricket in this format. Potentially that allows us to be quite aggressive up front and take early wickets. They've done that successfully for England."

While Brunt was the Scorchers Player of the Season last year, Shrubsole is currently placed second on the ICC Player Rankings for Women's T20 International Bowlers and fifth on the all-time wicket-takers list in Women's T20 Internationals.

Brunt, who had led the Scorchers attack in the last season, taking 16 wickets at 17.12 with an economy rate of 5.02, said, "I'm really looking forward to heading back to Perth in December to play in the second season of the WBBL. I thoroughly enjoyed representing the club in the inaugural edition of the competition last year, and the city is quickly becoming a home away from home."

"I can't wait to catch up with the squad and pull on the Scorchers shirt once again to play with and against some of the best cricketers in the world."

Praising Brunt, Keightley added, "She's a world-class seamer who can take wickets early. She's aggressive and brings a competitiveness which rubs off on the other girls."

Brunt's pace partner for England, Shrubsole, has made 88 appearances and taken 132 wickets across all three formats for England and was recently made her country's vice-captain.

"I'm really delighted to have signed to play for Perth Scorchers in the WBBL this year," the 24-year old English pacer, said. "I already have some very fond memories of playing at the WACA Ground during the Women's Ashes Test match in 2014.

"I'm now very much looking forward to hopefully contributing to some more memorable moments at the ground with the Scorchers this season."

Shrubsole, who will be missing England's tour of Sri Lanka in November due to a neck injury, also expressed delight over the numerous opportunities that are coming up for women cricketers across the world. "The rate at which the women's game is developing right now is incredible, and it is fantastic that we are getting so many opportunities as players to compete in competitions like the WBBL and the Kia Super League all around the world," she said.

Apart from the duo, Scorchers have also signed wicketkeeper Emily Smith, who played for Hobart Hurricane last season. The Scorchers coach was happy to round out the squad with Smith, who will look to put pressure on Megan Banting to be the side's first-choice wicketkeeper.

© Cricbuzz