Sixers sign international trio for WBBL

Just days out from the WBBL opener this weekend, the Sydney Sixers have announced the signing of three internationals to complete their squad for the inaugural season.

Veteran New Zealander Sara McGlashan, South African allrounder Marizanne Kapp and English spinner Laura Marsh are the final three players named to pull on the magenta top this season, ensuring a stellar line-up for the Sydney-based club. 

The three overseas signings join Southern Stars players Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy to complete the quota of current international signings for the club. Under WBBL rules, each team is allowed to sign three overseas players and no more than five internationals in total (Australian 'internationals' include those who have represented Australia in at least 10 ODI and/or WT20 INTL matches in the last four years, between 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2015).

Quick Single: Club-by-club guide for the WBBL

The five international players are complemented by the experience and might of former Australia allrounder Lisa Sthalekar, coaxed out of retirement for WBBL|01, meaning the Sixers are sure to be a force to contend with this summer. 

"Marizanne is one of South Africa's standout players, who has taken their team to new heights, most recently making the T20 World Cup semi-finals in Bangladesh 2014," said Sixers captain Ellyse Perry, speaking of her side’s international signings. 

Speaking about McGlashan, who recently became the first New Zealander to play 200 matches for her country, Perry said: "Sara is one of the most experienced international cricketers in the world. She is an incredibly fluid and easy looking batter who has the ability to take the game away from other sides."

Meanwhile, English import Marsh, who has already spent the last two months helping guide the NSW Breakers to their eleventh consecutive WNCL final, is another to add a wealth of international experience to the Sixers line-up. "Alongside Lisa Sthalekar and Lauren Smith, she adds more power to an already formidable group of off spinners," said Perry. 

Today also saw the Melbourne Renegades complete their squad with the signing of the tournament’s youngest player, 16-year-old Georgia Warheam.

A leg-spinner from Mortlake in Victoria's west, Warheam's signing means the Renegades now have nine spin bowlers in their squad. 

The Sixers' latest signings cap off a vast array of overseas players to join the inaugural tournament, with players from South Africa, England, New Zealand and West Indies looking to make an impact.

Local rivals Sydney Thunder are the only team not to have announced any overseas signings as yet.

The first ever WBBL season gets underway this Saturday with a double-header between Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat at Junction Oval in Melbourne.

The Sixers will open their campaign with a derby against the Thunder in Penrith on Sunday.

WBBL Overseas players

Adelaide Strikers
Sarah Taylor - England
Sophie Devine - New Zealand

Brisbane Heat
Kate Cross - England
Lauren Winfield - England

Hobart Hurricanes
Heather Knight - England
Hayley Matthews - West Indies
Amy Satterthwaite - New Zealand

Melbourne Renegades
Dane Van Niekerk - South Africa
Danielle Wyatt - England
Rachel Priest - New Zealand

Melbourne Stars
Mignon du Preez - South Africa
Morna Nielsen - New Zealand
Natalie Sciver - England

Perth Scorchers
Charlotte Edwards - England
Deandra Dottin - West Indies (six matches - 26 December to 2 January)
Suzie Bates - New Zealand (share international duties with Dottin)
Katherine Brunt - England

Sydney Sixers
Sara McGlashan - New Zealand
Marizanne Kapp - South Africa
Laura Marsh - England

Sydney Thunder
TBA