Poonam Yadav roped in by Brisbane Heat for WBBL07

Poonam Yadav becomes the eighth Indian to be involved in the seventh season of the Women's Big Bash League having signed with two-time champions Brisbane Heat. The diminutive leg-spinner replaces New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr who withdrew from the tournament earlier this year citing mental health concerns.



Yadav joins the two South Africans Anneke Bosch and Nadine de Klerk as Heat's third and final overseas signing.



The 30-year-old is India's most successful T20I bowler having taken 98 wickets in 71 matches. Her figures of 4 for 19 against Australia in last year's T20 World Cup helped India overpower the hosts in the opening game of the tournament. She has had a fair bit of success Down Under scalping 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 12.63 and an economy rate of just over six runs an over.



Heat head coach Ashley Noffke expressed excitement at Yadav's signing, adding that her different style of bowling would add a new dimension to the side's bowling attack.



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"When we lost Amelia Kerr, we were confident we could back our group to give a good account of themselves regardless but adding Poonam’s skill and her competitiveness is a huge result,” Heat coach Ashley Noffke said. "She is a different type of bowler to Melie, and we are clear on how we can best utilise her talents in our line-up.



"Jess Jonassen has played against her and as captain, she is very keen to work alongside her now she is with the Heat."



This will be Yadav's first experience in an overseas T20 competition.



Her signing now means all international spots have been filled, and Heat too, have finalised their roster.



Squad: Jess Jonassen (c), Anneke Bosch (SA), Nadine de Klerk (SA), Poonam Yadav (Ind), Zoe Cooke, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Ellie Johnston, Laura Kimmince, Mikayla Hinkley, Charli Knott, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll