Stars sign international trio

Allrounder Natalie Sciver is the latest England player to announce she will be part of the inaugural Women's Big Bash League, signing with the Melbourne Stars.

Sciver is the eighth member of England's Ashes squad to join the WBBL and was one of three internationals unveiled by the Stars on Wednesday.

South African captain Mignon du Preez and New Zealand bowler Morna Nielsen will also wear the green of the Stars in WBBL|01, where they will join a strong line-up including Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning.

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Mignon du Preez has signed for the Stars // Getty

Sciver was named player of the match twice during the Ashes, scoring 66 in a one-dayer against Australia and leading England to victory in the third T20 when she scored a career-high 47 and claimed her best T20 bowling figures with 4-15. 

In 28 T20 matches for England, the 23-year-old right-arm medium pacer has amassed 350 runs and claimed 25 wickets.

"I'm really looking forward to having the opportunity to play in the first ever WBBL. It's very exciting to be a part of something special in women's cricket," Sciver said.

"Having never played domestic cricket in Australia before, I'm looking forward to challenging myself in the competition.

"From the Ashes series I have learnt the importance of a positive mindset and the levels of self-belief needed to win games of cricket."

South Africa’s du Preez will bring a wealth of experience to the Stars’ line-up having represented her country on 117 occasions.

The top-order bat has played 55 T20 internationals and has accumulated 925 runs including a high score of 69.

Nielseon is currently ranked as the world’s third best T20 bowler on the International Cricket Council player rankings and will play a vital role with her left-arm orthodox.

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Nielson is a handy addition // Getty

The 25-year-old, who has played 34 T20s for New Zealand and has best figures of 4-10, said that she was excited to be a part of the inaugural WBBL.

"I can't wait to get playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world," Nielsen said.

Melbourne Stars squad: Meg Lanning, Mignon du Preez, Kathleen Hempenstall, Emma Inglis, Emma Kearney, Anna Lanning, Morna Nielsen, Natalie Sciver

Meanwhile, the Sydney Sixers have added  Rhiannon Dick to their ranks for WBBL|01.

A talented spin bowler and batter, Dick will bring plenty of excitement to the Sixers.

A member of the NSW Breakers Academy, Dick grabbed headlines during the 2013-14 season when she captured 6-14 playing for the ACT.

Last year she was selected to represent an Australian XI against New Zealand in two T20 games.

Sydney Sixers squad: Rhiannon Dick, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emily Leys, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Smith, Lisa Sthalekar, Kara Sutherland

Sydney Thunder have also added to their line-up, signing young fast bowler Belinda Vakarewa.

Another member of the NSW Breakers Academy, Vakarewa is one of the most promising young bowlers in the state and will add depth to the Thunder’s bowling stocks.

Vakarewa gained international experience earlier in 2015, travelling to Sri Lanka as part of the NSW Development Squad.

"I’m just going to be taking in as much as possible from all of the experienced players around me like Alex Blackwell, Rene Farrell and Erin Osborne," Vakarewa said.

"Watching how they play and how they look at the game, because they’ve been around it for so long, I’m just excited to absorb it all."

Sydney Thunder squad: Alex Blackwell, Nicola Carey, Stefanie Daffara, Rene Farrell, Mikayla Hinkley, Erin Osborne, Naomi Stalenberg, Belinda Vakarewa