The influx of English players into the WBBL continues, with Tammy Beaumont signing with Melbourne Renegades, while Adelaide Strikers have secured the services of off-spinning allrounder Georgia Adams from Southern Brave for the upcoming season, despite her not having played international cricket.
Beaumont’s decision to sign with Renegades wasn’t surprising, as she had opted out of the WBBL overseas draft and chose the direct signing route, a new provision in the tournament.
Overseas players could bypass the draft and sign directly with a club, albeit at a limited salary of AU$61,750, in contrast to the platinum and gold draft picks earning AU$110,000 and AU$90,000 respectively.
Joining Renegades, Beaumont joins other England teammates like Amy Jones (Perth Scorchers) and Sophia Dunkley (Melbourne Stars), as well as international players like Mignon du Preez (Brisbane Heat), Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes), and Suzie Bates from New Zealand, who also opted for direct nominations.
Beaumont, the first player to score a century in the Women’s Hundred, had previously played for Renegades in 2019, followed by three seasons with Sydney Thunder, contributing to their 2020 title victory. She initiated her WBBL journey with Strikers from 2016 to 2018.
According to Live cricket scores , West Indies captain Hayley Matthews and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur will join Beaumont at Renegades, addressing the team’s need for bolstering their batting lineup.
On the other hand, Adelaide Strikers made a bold move by signing Adams, despite her not having played international cricket.
Adams, who will also represent New South Wales this season, had a successful stint with Southern Brave, contributing significantly in their Women’s Hundred title win this year.
Adams’ recruitment follows a strategy by Strikers, who aimed to enhance their team’s performance by signing her post the draft.
Adams’ versatility and ability to perform under pressure were highlighted as valuable assets that would contribute positively to Strikers’ performance this season.
Both signings mark significant additions to the WBBL, showcasing the league’s global appeal and attracting top talent from around the world.
