Scorchers sign 'female Chris Gayle'

The Perth Scorchers have added the self-proclaimed ‘female Chris Gayle’ to their roster for the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League season.

West Indies excitement machine Deandra Dottin has signed with the franchise, joining a star-studded line-up featuring Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars openers Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani, England pair Charlotte Edwards and Katherine Brunt, and New Zelaand captain Suzie Bates.

Dottin famously scored the first-ever and fastest century in a women’s Twenty20 International in 2010, reaching triple figures off just 38 balls against South Africa.

The 24-year-old right-handed batter, who also bowls medium-pace, will be available for six matches during the WBBL, between December 26 and January 2.

"The fans can look at me as the female Chris Gayle,” Dottin said.

"I’m a big-hitter, I’ll hit sixes. I’m a bowler as well.

"I’m very excited and happy to be going to the Women’s Big Bash this year."

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Dottin has scored more than 2000 runs with an average of 27.89 in 87 One-Day Internationals and averages just under 25 in 79 T20 Internationals for the West Indies.

Watch: Dottin sends one flying over the rope at Adelaide Oval

She also has claimed 56 wickets in both international limited-overs formats.

Dottin will be the Scorchers third overseas player for WBBL|01 around the availability of New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates. England captain Charlotte Edwards and all-rounder Katherine Brunt will both be available all season.

Scorchers coach Mark Atkinson described the West Indies international as a "proven match-winner".

"Deandra is one of the most exciting cricketers in the world and her signing is a real coup for the Perth Scorchers," Atkinson said. 

"Deandra is a very experienced international player and boasts an imposing record in Twenty20 international cricket."

England captain Edwards and fast-bowling allrounder Brunt will be available for the entirety of the WBBL season, while Dottin will share international duties with Bates.

She is the second West Indian to jump on board with the WBBL, after teenage sensation Hayley Matthews signed with the Hobart Hurricanes.

Six West Indians will play in the KFC Big Bash League, including Gayle, who has signed with Melbourne Renegades.

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Her addition brings the number of international players playing in WBBL|01 to 17.

England have eight representatives in the competition, while New Zealand have five and South Africa two.

Four international captains will be playing, with Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning joined at the Southern Stars by South Africa’s Mignon du Preez, and Bates and Edwards at the Scorchers.

The Scorchers have also signed 21-year-old spinner Katie-Jane Hartshorn to complete the 14-player squad, following Jess Cameron’s decision to take an indefinite break from cricket.

Meanwhile, Angela Reakes became the latest player to put pen to paper for the Sydney Sixers this week.

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A proven strike bowler, the leg-spinner will strengthen a Sixers’ bowling line-up already boasting the talents of international stars Ellyse Perry and Lisa Sthalekar.

After five seasons with the Lend Lease NSW Breakers, Reakes relocated to the ACT this year in search of greater opportunities.

Perth Scorchers squad: Nicole Bolton (c), Megan Banting, Suzie Bates, Emma Biss, Katherine Brunt, Piepa Cleary, Deandra Dottin, Charlotte Edwards, Heather Graham, Katie-Jane Hartshorn, Emma King, Chloe Piparo, Nicky Shaw, Elyse Villani, Jenny Wallace

Sydney Sixers squad: Sarah Aley, Rhiannon Dick, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Sara Hungerford, Emily Leys, Ellyse Perry, Ange Reakes, Lauren Smith, Lisa Sthalekar, Kara Sutherland

International imports in the WBBL

England: Charlotte Edwards, Katherine Brunt (both Scorchers), Sarah Taylor (Strikers), Danni Wyatt (Renegades), Lauren Winfield, Kate Cross (both Heat), Heather Knight (Hurricanes), Natalie Sciver (Stars)

New Zealand: Suzie Bates (Scorchers), Sophie Devine (Strikers), Morna Nielson (Stars), Rachel Priest (Renegades), Amy Satterthwaite (Hurricanes)

South Africa: Mignon du Preez (Stars), Dane van Niekerk (Renegades)

West Indies: Deandra Dottin (Scorchers), Hayley Mathews (Hurricanes)

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