Perth Scorchers' bonanza: Sophie Devine signed, named captain; potent opening combo with Beth Mooney

moved to Melbourne Stars for WBBL 06.
Devine, who had played for Adelaide Strikers in the first five years, had amassed 769 runs at an average of 76.90 and picked up 19 wickets in WBBL05. She had hit 29 sixes in the competition. She had managed to help Strikers make their first WBBL final and was also named the Player of the Tournament for her exploits, apart from Strikers’ third Most Valuable Player award.
“It’s a huge honour to be joining the Scorchers and leading the side this season, it’s an exciting new challenge for me and the team as we build towards the WBBL finals,” said Devine, who was also recently named New Zealand’s full-time captain.
“When the opportunity to play for Perth came up it was a pretty hard one to turn down, the Scorchers have a great history in the WBBL and BBL and I’m really looking forward to joining such a successful club.”
Devine had turned up for Western Australia in the Women’s National Cricket League last year. She scored 162 runs in four matches with a ton to her name and also picked up five wickets.
“I have spent some quality time in the WA set-up, which has really helped me further my game and I am looking forward to playing under Shelley (Nitschke, head coach), we have a great relationship and I have played a lot of cricket with her too over my years with the Strikers.”
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Devine will join Beth Mooney at Scorchers this season and the duo will be expected to set the stage alight with their exploits. This means that the Scorchers have managed to sign the top two leading run-scorers of WBBL05.
“Sophie has proven herself as one of the best T20 players in the world, we are privileged to have her join the Perth Scorchers,” said Nitschke.
“A match-winner with both the bat and the ball, Sophie will be a great influence on the group as both a leader and role model.”
“Sophie has been a dominant force in the WBBL since its inception and has over a decade of international experience, we’re excited about the leadership she will provide both on and off the field in her role as team captain.”
Devine has 2174 runs in the WBBL; only Ellyse Perry and Mooney are ahead in the list. She has hit 88 sixes, which is 30 more by the next player - Ashleigh Gardner.
"I’ve loved my time at the Adelaide Strikers and wanted to thank everyone: the players, staff and incredible fans, for making it feel like a second home," said Devine.
"This is a move that is right for me at this stage, and I’m looking forward to a new and exciting challenge with the Perth Scorchers.”