India's big boost for the Big Bash

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has cleared the way for players to join an overseas domestic T20 competition for the first time.

India's best and brightest female cricketers could feature in the second Women's Big Bash League this year, in what would be a major coup for the burgeoning female T20 competition.

It could also see India's top female cricketers play in England's Women's Super League, although squads for the inaugural event this northern summer have already been finalised.

India's women beat the Comonwealth Bank Southern Stars in a T20 series in Australia last summer, and fast bowler Jhulan Goswami foreshadowed the players returning this year for WBBL|02.

"If we got the permission we'd definitely want to be here," Goswami said in Januray. "Hopefully they (the BCCI) can sort it out and we can be in the WBBL. It would be a good experience, it would expose us to playing with other teammates, so we're definitely looking forward to that.

"I think that will definitely be sorted out in the next year; I hope so, because WBBL means a lot for all."

Reports from India claimed the BCCI's Women's Cricket Committee had approved participation of the nation's top females in overseas tournament, subject to the BCCI's approval of their contracts.

The BCCI had previously introduced central contracts for India's top female talent, and is said to be considering a female version of the IPL as the women's game continues to expand at pace around the globe.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said no Indian players had yet been signed by Big Bash clubs, but it is understood several clubs are taking a keen interest in the latest development.

"We want cricket to be the number one sport for girls and women in Australia and a highly competitive Women's Big Bash League will help cricket appeal to a broader audience and gain greater exposure," the spokesperson said.

"We have a strong depth of talent in Australia, but the ICC Women's World T20 earlier this year demonstrated the many remarkable talents in women's cricket around the world.

"Last year's overseas players – like Sophie Devine and Heather Knight – shone, and we are always talking to other cricket boards about the availability of their contracted players joining the Women's Big Bash League to add another competitive element.

"The BCCI has indicated they are open to contracted Indian female players playing in the WBBL this summer but will look at it on a player-by-player basis."

There were 17 leading international players from England, the West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa in the inaugural WBBL last summer, while two legends of the Australian women's game – Lisa Sthalekar and Shelley Nitschke – were also been coaxed out of retirement by the prospect of playing in the star-studded tournament.

High on the list of prospects for the WBBL clubs would be Goswami, India skipper Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and 26-year-old Harmanpreet Kaur who stunned the Australians in India's opening T20 win in Adelaide with 46 from 31 balls in a record run-chase.

The men's and women's Big Bash League fixtures are expected to be confirmed next week.