Brisbane Heat rope in South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk for WBBL06

De Klerk thus joins her teammates Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk (Sydney Sixers,) Lizelle Lee (Melbourne Renegades), Shabnim Ismail (Sydney Thunder), Chloe Tryon (Hobart Hurricanes), Mignon du Preez (Sydney Stars) and Laura Wolvaardt (Adelaide Strikers).

“I haven’t played against them (South African teammates) a lot, just provincial cricket every now and then, so it’s going to be a challenge,” De Klerk was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “I’m very excited, I think you have a little bit of a step ahead when you know them and know how they go about things.”

Despite making her international debut in 2017, Nadine was a lesser-known entity until the T20 World Cup semifinal against Australia back in March. Replacing Marizanne Kapp at the last moment, the 20-year-old surprised everyone with 3 for 19 dismissing the likes of Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner and Rachael Haynes. She also scored six runs from two balls towards the end but couldn’t take her team beyond the line.

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“Anyone who saw Nadine charge in and bowl without fear against the best team in the world would have been impressed,” Heat coach Ashley Noffke said. With South Africa pulling out of England tour in September, de Klerk is eager to get onto the field when the WBBL kicks-off on October 17.

“Everyone is eager to get out on the park, four months is a long time and we haven't played any competitive cricket in some time,” de Klerk said. “It’s a really great opportunity to get a chance in the Big Bash with the England tour being cancelled, it’s good to get some competitive cricket in before the end of the year.”

Like other countries, South Africa also have endured an extended lockdown with limited access for the players to train. The country’s restrictions prohibit the national teams to travel overseas but individuals with employment opportunities can be granted exemptions to leave.

“Individual players competing in events deemed as work are permitted to travel subject to them being COVID-19 compliant in the country they are travelling to and upon their return to South Africa,” Cricket South Africa said in a statement.

Squad so far: Jess Jonassen (c), Nadine de Klerk, Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr, Delissa Kimmince, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Lilly Mills, Georgia Prestwidge, Courtney Sippel.