Published: Jun 04, 2016, 08:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 04, 2016, 08:30 PM (IST)
Maiden champions Sydney Thunders among the WBBL clubs are set to target leading India Women cricketers. India players Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Juhulan Goswami are on wish list for WBBL. BCCI has cleared ways for cricketers to join overseas domestic T20 competition for first time. Sydney Thunder have vacancy for an international player this summer and skipper Alex Blackwell have confirmed they have an eye on an Indian star. India claimed a 2-1 Twenty20 series victory over the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars on Australian soil in January, with 33–year-old veteran Goswami causing major problems for Australia’s top order, striking in the first over of each match. ALSO READ: BCCI makes the smart call in allowing India Women to play WBBL, WSL
Blackwell spoke to cricket.com.au and spoke further on the same, “I think we saw in the Indian team some very dynamic players, including Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur, I think these two stood out. And of course Jhulan Goswami, she’s a legend of the game and someone I’d love to see in the Women’s Big Bash. She’s a great team person and I’ve certainly enjoyed many battles with her over the years. We have a pretty solid team and we’re hoping our list stays consistent after a successful first year, but we have an opportunity to bring overseas players in and we’ll be looking to spend that spot wisely. Hopefully we’ll get one of the best players around the world. We’re the champion team and hopefully a team people want to play for, I’m looking forward to seeing who that person might be.”
Harmanpreet will also play major role in for her performance in the opening match at Adelaide. Thunder’s spinner Rene Farrell aims for Smriti while Erin Osborne aims for Jhulan. “I’d love to play alongside Goswami think she’d be a tremendous asset for the Sydney Thunder so hopefully we can get her,” Osborne said. On the hindsight, WBBL runners-up Sydney Sixers have place for international player as well and skipper Ellyse Perry has also expressed towards Mithali, Harmanpreet and Smriti.
Ellyse also spoke and showed interest towards Indian players, “Last year, being the first year, the league was quick to fill the overseas positions and I’m sure some players missed out who wanted a chance. Now with some of the Indian players being available, someone like Kaur who made a big splash in the T20 games would have a number of teams looking at her. They’ll be a good addition to any Big Bash team because we played them at the start of our summer and they beat us 2-1 in T20 series, so there are definitely some subcontinent players to look out for. Hopefully they jump on board and make the competition even more exciting.” ALSO READ: Indian Women cricketers to play in WBBL, WSL
Even England’s vice-captain Anya Shrubsole is in demands thanks to Brisbane Heat’s Holly Ferling. Holly added, “She’s one of the best in the world, I’m not sure why she didn’t play last year, but she’s such a phenomenal bowler with her in swingers. Our team fears her, pretty much, because she is unstoppable. So it will be interesting to see if she comes. A team in need of a bowler should definitely be knocking on her door.” As per Cricket Australia (CA) spokesperson, no Indian player has been signed yet for BBL.
The spokesperson said, “”We want cricket to be the number one sport for girls and women in Australia and a highly competitive Women’s Big Bash League will help cricket appeal to a broader audience and gain greater exposure. Last year’s overseas players – like Sophie Devine and Heather Knight – shone, and we are always talking to other cricket boards about the availability of their contracted players joining the Women’s Big Bash League to add another competitive element. The BCCI has indicated they are open to contracted Indian female players playing in the WBBL this summer but will look at it on a player-by-player basis.”
