Scorchers select dynamic International Trio in WBBL Draft

The first of their international contingent was confirmed last month, with New Zealand superstar Sophie Devine becoming the first WBBL Scorcher secured under new rules that allow each Club to sign one international player before the Overseas Player Draft.

The signing of Devine in the Platinum band meant the Scorchers first live pick of the WBBL Draft came in the Gold round (Pick 16), when they selected English wicketkeeper batter Amy Jones.

The elegant right-hand bat and silky wicketkeeper returns for her fifth season in orange after representing the club 45 times from WBBL|04 to WBBL|06, and in WBBL|09.

Jones finished as one of the Scorchers most productive players last season, striking 262 runs at 26.20 in 13 matches, often displaying her match-winning abilities in the Power Surge.

Her impressive strike rate of 151.44 last season was the competition's second-best, only surpassed by Brisbane Heat's Grace Harris (minimum 250 runs).

All told, the 31-year-old has blasted 1200 runs at 23.45, including six half-centuries over her 64 WBBL appearances (including 19 for Sydney Thunder).

Jones has also earned 204 caps for England across all formats, scoring 3582 runs since her debut in 2013. In addition, her 195 dismissals ranks her second all-time for her country.

The English star is expected to be available for seven matches in WBBL|10, pending international selection.

Perth added another explosive batter with its third selection, taking powerful Indian Hemalatha Dayalan in the Silver round (pick 17).

The 29-year-old has shown strong form for India and Women’s Premier League team Gujarat Giants, where she played alongside Scorchers superstar Beth Mooney.

Capable of slotting anywhere in the top order, Dayalan sustained the eye-catching strike rate of 143.78 in 16 appearances for the Giants this year. 

Dayalan has represented her country on 34 occasions (11 ODIs, 23 T20Is) to date, since making her debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in September 2018.

She is expected to be available for Perth’s whole WBBL|10 campaign.  

Perth Scorchers WBBL Head Coach, Becky Grundy, said:
“We are extremely delighted with our three Draft selections in Soph, Jonesy and Hemalatha.

“Soph and Jonesy returning is a massive positive for us, they were both fantastic for us last season and offered so much value both as players and leaders in our group.

“We are excited to welcome Hemalatha into the squad, she is an explosive top order player who we think will complement our group nicely. 

“We cannot wait to see how they all perform during WBBL|10.

Perth Scorchers batter, Beth Mooney, said:
“Soph, Jonesy and Hemalatha round out our squad beautifully, so overall we are very happy with how things have panned out for us in the Draft.

“Obviously a great result for us to get Soph as our pre-signed player, as well as welcoming back Jonesy, who was very effective for us in the middle order last season.

“Hemalatha is a really exciting top order batter who I think can take the WBBL by storm, I have been lucky enough to play alongside her at the Gujarat Giants, and I have been very impressed with the way she goes about it.

“Something we value at the Scorchers is team culture, and I think she is someone that will fit into the group perfectly. We can’t wait to welcome her into the squad.

The Scorchers have two local and two international list spots left to fill before their prime-time season opener against Melbourne Stars at the WACA Ground on Sunday 27 October.

Current Perth Scorchers WBBL|10 squad: Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Hemalatha Dayalan (International- India), Sophie Devine (International – New Zealand), Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Amy Jones (International - England), Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo