Scorchers re-sign Sophie Devine; Alana King moves to Perth from Melbourne Stars

New Zealand skipper Devine was the player of the tournament in WBBL06 having scored 448 runs at a strike rate of 130.23 while leading the side. She also took five wickets and was instrumental in Scorchers reaching the semi-final of the tournament. The 31-year-old will look to continue her successful partnership with Beth Mooney, highest run-getter of WBBL06, at the top. Earlier, Scorchers signed Marizanne Kapp, who made a move from Sydney Sixers, and Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Atapattu ahead of the season.

King has been one of the key members of Stars having served the club for six seasons from the inception of the competition. She is the leading wicket-taker for Stars in the competition and has taken 54 wickets at an average of 25.33 from 63 innings.

Head coach Shelley Nitschke welcomed the decision of Devine to re-sign for the club and lauded the allrounder for her contribution the Western Australia based side.

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“Sophie has been the best player in the competition over the past two seasons, we are delighted with her decision to commit to the Scorchers this season,” Nitschke said. “A match-winner with both the bat and the ball, Sophie will continue to have a strong influence on our squad on and off the field.”

Nitschke also showered praises on King, who took 16 wickets from 12 matches to help Stars reach the final of WBBL06, and said she will be an asset with both bat and ball for the side.

“We’re thrilled Alana King has made the decision to sign with the Scorchers for the next two seasons. Last season we saw first-hand the influence she can have on a match, her wrist spin can change a game while her power with the bat can swing momentum at the end of an innings too,” Nitschke added.

Scorchers are yet to win a title in WBBL and will be looking for their maiden triumph when the competition commences on October 14.

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“We’re really pleased with how our squad is shaping up ahead of the season, there’s an enthusiasm and a hunger to build on the momentum we created last year,” Nitschke concluded.

Perth Scorchers Current Squad: Chamari Athapaththu, Samantha Betts, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sophie Devine, Heather Graham, Marizanne Kapp, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo