Sune Luus joins Lancashire Thunder

second overseas signing for the 2019 edition of the Women’s Cricket Super League. The announcement was made via social media on Friday (July 5). 

https://twitter.com/LancsCricketWMN/status/1147147589567111168

“This is a really exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get going with my new teammates,” said Luus, shortly after signing with the franchise. “It is a chance for me to play alongside, and against, some of the best players from around the world once again. I know that Thunder enjoyed a solid campaign last time out and I hope to be able to help the push for a place in that top three.”

Luus adds to an already strong South African presence in the WCSL. Chloe Tryon (Yorkshire Diamonds), Mignon du Preez (Southern Vipers), Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk and Lizelle Lee (all Surrey Stars) are the others.

https://twitter.com/LancsCricketWMN/status/1147150550192013313

The 23-year-old, has represented South Africa in 63 T20Is so far. She has taken 40 wickets with her leg-spin, at an average of 19.47 and impressive economy rate of 6.24. Luus’ tally includes two five-wicket hauls— the most by any female bowler in T20Is.

Having burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old bowler, Luss has slowly developed into a high quality batter as well. She has scored 539 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 108.66, including two half centuries.

Most recently, she was handed the captaincy of South Africa in their home series against Pakistan. She helped the hosts tie both the T20I and ODI series 1-1.

“Sune is a quality cricketer and, despite her young age, is very experienced in the international arena,” said Alex Blackwell, head coach of Lancashire Thunder. “She has captained South Africa before, holds the experience of winning the WBBL and provides us with another high-class option with the ball as well as useful contributions with bat. I am sure that Sune will fit perfectly into our dressing room and I hope that she will be able to contribute at the important moments for us throughout the summer.”

This is not Luus’ first experience in a foreign T20 league having already been a part of the Yorkshire Diamonds squad in the 2017 edition of the WCSL. More recently, the allrounder was a member of the Brisbane Heat squad that won the 2018-19 Women’s Big Bash League. She played nine games across the season.

Luus will join Harmanpreet Kaur in a Kate Cross-led Lancashire squad as their second overseas player for the 2019 season. The team will kick off their campaign on August 6, at home against Southern Vipers.