Full squads: How each club's list is shaping up for WBBL|12

Strikers | Heat | Hurricanes | Renegades | Stars | Scorchers | Sixers | Thunder

Big Bash list managers have turned their attention to Weber WBBL|12 after Hobart Hurricanes secured their maiden women's title last summer.

The contracting embargo has lifted, with the eight clubs gearing up for the new season after the schedule was released in July.

WBBL clubs were permitted to have eight players on their list at the conclusion of WBBL|11, and 10 following the completion of the player movement window in December. 

Now, they are free to fill the remainder of their 15-player lists.

The league has announced significant changes to contracting for WBBL|12, including the scrapping of the overseas player draft, with the league returning to an open-market system through direct signings, which was in place prior to 2022.

There is no longer a minimum number of overseas players required to be contracted each season, with clubs free to build a squad made up entirely of local players if they choose.

Check out all the details about the changes here:

Here is where each team's list stands ahead of WBBL|12:   

Adelaide Strikers

WBBL|11 result: Sixth (3 wins, 4 losses, 3 no results)

  

Coach: Luke Williams

 

List spots filled: 12

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Maia Bouchier (England)(Contracted until WBBL|12), Darcie Brown (W|13), Emma de Broughe (W|12), Sophie Ecclestone (England)(W|12), Ellie Johnston (W|12), Eleanor Larosa (W|12), Tahlia McGrath (W|12), Bridget Patterson (W|12), Maddie Penna (W|12), Megan Schutt (W|13), Amanda-Jade Wellington (W|12), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)(W|12)

 

In: Maia Bouchier (Stars), Emma de Broughe (Renegades)

 

Out: Tammy Beaumont, Jemma Barsby (Thunder)

 

Uncontracted: Anesu Mushangwe, Tabatha Saville, Ella Wilson, Maggie Clark (LRP), Emmerson Filsell (LRP)

The Strikers fell one run short of returning to the finals, but it was a strange season for the Adelaide side, who had two games washed out and another abandoned after a ball was accidentally rolled into the pitch. It was an improvement on WBBL|10, but they did feel well off the pace of the other finalists. 

They've got a good core under contract including South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, and on the eve of the movement window opening announced they had retained Darcie Brown and Amanda-Jade Wellington. They have since re-signed Maddie Penna. 

Pleasingly for the Strikers, English spinner Sophie Ecclestone will return for a second season in blue. While Wolvaardt's signature has already been secured, her WBBL|11 opening partner Tammy Beaumont won't be returning after the club poached her compatriot Maia Bouchier from the Stars instead. Former Renegade Emma de Broughe has signed on ahead of WBBL|12, however the Strikers have lost Jemma Barsby to the Sydney Thunder.

Brisbane Heat

WBBL|11 result: Eighth (0 wins, 9 losses, 1 no result)

  

Coach: Mark Sorell 

 

List spots filled: 14

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Lily Bassingthwaighte (W|13), Bonnie Berry (W|12), Lucinda Bourke (W|12), Sianna Ginger, Sarah Glenn (W|12), Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen (W|12), Charli Knott (W|12), Annie O'Neil (W|13), Grace Parsons (W|12), Orla Prendergast (Ireland)(W|12), Georgia Redmayne (W|13), Mikayla Wrigley (W|12)  

 

In: Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

 

Out: Chinelle Henry (Hurricanes), Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Nicola Hancock (Thunder)

 

Uncontracted: Catherine White (LRP), Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Lauren Winfield-Hill (England - ORP)

The Heat have a point to prove after not only missing finals for the first time in seven seasons but also becoming the first team to go winless through an entire season in the process. 

The good news for the Heat is they've locked away senior players Jess Jonassen, Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne, while WBBL|11 Young Gun award winner and recent Australia debutant Lucy Hamilton is also secured for next season. The Heat also ensured to lock in several of their young talents for WBBL|12, including Bonnie Berry, Annie O'Neil and Grace Parsons.

On the international player recruiting front, English spinner Sarah Glenn has signed on with the Heat for the full WBBL|12 campaign. After being flown in as an overseas replacement player for the closing matches of WBBL|11, Glenn took an impressive 4-18 against the Sydney Thunder to give her side hope of a long-awaited win.

Joining Glenn is exciting Irish young gun Orla Prendergast, with the pace-bowling allrounder joining her second Big Bash club after a previous stint with the Strikers.

Hobart Hurricanes

WBBL|11 result: Champions

 

Coach: Jude Coleman

 

List spots filled: 14

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Nicola Carey (W|13), Heather Graham (W|13), Ella Hayward (W|13), Chinelle Henry (West Indies)(W|12), Ruth Johnston (W|12), Lizelle Lee (W|13), Hayley Silver-Holmes (W|13), Amy Smith (W|12), Lauren Smith (W|13), Linsey Smith (England)(W|12), Molly Strano (W|13), Rachel Trenaman (W|13), Callie Wilson (W|12), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)(W|12)

 

Ins: Ella Hayward (Stars), Chinelle Henry (Heat)

 

Outs: Elyse Villani (retired), Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England), Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)

 

Uncontracted: Isabella Malgioglio 

The Hurricanes did a terrific job of keeping their core group together in recent seasons as they built towards their first ever appearance in a WBBL final, though they will be without their captain Elyse Villani next season, after she announced her retirement from the competition shortly after leading her side to its inaugural title victory.

They will also be without England superstar Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who has told the club she is sitting out WBBL|12 after an injury-hampered home summer. However, they have locked in their other two title-winning overseas players, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith confirmed to return, and recruited West indies allrounder Chinelle Henry from the Heat.  

Heather Graham and Molly Strano were two players the Hurricanes worked swiftly to secure before the movement window opened after certain interest from their home states. The 'Canes added to their spin cohort after plucking uncapped Melbourne Star Ella Hayward, who previously featured in 40 matches for the Renegades.

Melbourne Renegades

WBBL|11 result: Fifth (5 wins, 5 losses)

  

Coach: Gavan Twining (new)

 

List spots filled: 12

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Deandra Dottin (West Indies)(W|12), Nicole Faltum (W|12), Tess Flintoff (W|12), Milly Illingworth (W|13), Sara Kennedy (W|12), Hayley Matthews (West Indies)(W|12), Sophie Molineux (W|12), Olivia Porter (W|12), Tayla Vlaeminck (W|13), Georgia Wareham (W|12), Courtney Webb (W|12), Annie Wikman (W|12)

 

Ins: Olivia Porter, Annie Wikman

 

Out: Alice Capsey (Sixers), Charis Bekker, Emma de Broughe (Strikers), Sarah Coyte (Sixers)

 

Uncontracted: Naomi Stalenberg

 

WBBL|11 overseas players: Davina Perrin (England), Issy Wong (England) 

In excellent news for the Renegades, they've got their biggest local names locked in and, in massive signing news, Hayley Matthews is back. They missed the West Indies superstar in WBBL|11 after she withdrew due to shoulder surgery, and her return is a huge boost in all facets of the game.

Deandra Dottin has also re-signed, but there was a blow with news that Alice Capsey is heading to the Sixers this season, however. Of the local crew, the Renegades have boosted their pace stocks, re-signing Tayla Vlaeminck and Sara Kennedy, while Sarah Coyte has returned to the Sixers.

After bidding farewell to title-winning coach Simon Helmot, the Gades appointed Australia assistant Gavan Twining as his replacement. Following the departure of Emma de Broughe to the Strikers, the 'Gades have recruited ACT Meteors duo Annie Wikman and Olivia Porter to bolster their batting stocks. Bowler Charis Bekker, meanwhile, has walked away from cricket and moved to the USA to study.

Melbourne Stars

WBBL|11 result: Fourth (Lost the Knockout)

  

Coach: Richard Pyrah (new)

 

List spots filled: 12

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Sophie Day (W|12), Charlie Dean (England)(W|12), Kim Garth (W|12), Dani Gibson (England)(W|12), Maisy Gibson (W|12), Amy Jones (England)(W|12), Meg Lanning (W|13), Rhys McKenna (W|12), Indigo Noble (W|12), Georgia Prestwidge (W|12), Zoe Samuel (W|12), Annabel Sutherland (W|12)

 

In: Charlie Dean (England), Zoe Samuel

 

Out: Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Maia Bouchier (Strikers)

 

Uncontracted: Sasha Moloney, Ines McKeon, Sophie Reid

Re-signing the trio of Annabel Sutherland, Meg Lanning and Kim Garth was priority No.1 for the Stars heading into the player movement window. After returning to the finals off the back of a five-year absence, keeping their core group together was imperative, and with seven players signed, there's plenty of room to strengthen their list with some extra power hitting down the order. They added to that by securing returns for English duo Dani Gibson and Amy Jones, while key spinner Sophie Day and Rhys McKenna, who found herself in a new opening role in WBBL|11, are both locked in. Bowlers Georgia Prestwidge and Maisy Gibson have also re-signed for the upcoming summer.

However, South Africa allrounder Marizanne Kapp pulled out of the final year of her contract with the Proteas facing a busy international schedule with a multi-format series against India starting just days after the WBBL season. The Stars moved quickly to find a replacement, signing England vice-captain Charlie Dean - an off-spinning allrounder - for her first Big Bash season. 

The Stars have also locked in a new head coach, signing Yorkshire's Richard Pyrah for the next two seasons, after Andy Christie stepped back into an assistant role with the club.

Perth Scorchers

WBBL|11 result: Runners-up

 

Coach: Becky Grundy

 

List spots filled: 11

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Chloe Ainsworth (W|12), Sophie Devine (New Zealand)(W|12), Amy Edgar (W|13), Ebony Hoskin (W|12), Freya Kemp (England)(W|12), Alana King (W|12), Katie Mack (W|12), Lilly Mills (W|12), Beth Mooney (W|12), Fatima Sana (Pakistan)(W|12), Ruby Strange (W|12)

 

In: Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

 

Out: Maddy Darke (Sixers), Paige Scholfield (England)

 

Uncontracted: Mikayla Hinkley, Shea Manolini, Chloe Piparo 

The biggest local names are locked away, with Beth Mooney, Alana King and Katie Mack all on the books for WBBL|12 alongside rising quick Chloe Ainsworth. The Scorchers have also secured the services of New Zealand's Sophie Devine and England's Freya Kemp both of whom will return this season as overseas signings.

Their biggest move has come in securing Pakistan captain Fatima Sana as their third overseas player for the opening eight games of the season. The star 24-year-old allrounder is her country's leading batter and bowler in women's T20 internationals and will play in the Big Bash for the first time this summer. She will become only the second Pakistan woman to appear in the WBBL, following Nida Dar's 11 matches for Sydney Thunder in WBBL|05.

Sydney Sixers

WBBL|11 result: Third (Lost in the Challenger)

  

Coach: Peter Clarke (new)

 

List spots filled: 14

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Caoimhe Bray (W|12), Maitlan Brown (W|13), Erin Burns (W|12), Alice Capsey (England)(W|12), Lauren Cheatle (W|13), Sarah Coyte (W|12), Maddy Darke (W|14), Sophia Dunkley (England)(W|12), Ashleigh Gardner (W|13), Elsa Hunter (W|12), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)(W|12), Frankie Nicklin (W|12), Ellyse Perry (W|13), Courtney Sippel (W|12)

 

Ins: Frankie Nicklin, Maddy Darke (Scorchers), Sarah Coyte (Renegades)

 

Out: Alyssa Healy (retired), Mady Villiers (England)

 

Uncontracted: Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Kua, Emma Manix-Geeves

NSW Breakers mentor Peter Clarke takes over as head coach after Matthew Mott moved to the Sixers' men's side. Rising coach Clarke led the NSW women's team to last season's WNCL final in his first campaign at the helm and will no doubt be hoping for more of the same with the Sixers.

He inherits a list in solid shape, having confirmed all eight spots they were permitted to fill heading into the embargo period.

They'll undergo one massive change in WBBL|12 however, following Aussie great Alyssa Healy's retirement from all cricket, leaving a massive gap in the top order and behind the stumps that the Sixers need to fill ahead of next season.

The Sixers have solved part of the opening puzzle via the signing of English opener Sophia Dunkley, who pieced together a standout campaign in magenta in WBBL|11 and is coming off an equally prolific, title-winning season in The Hundred for Trent. Another key piece fell into place in mid-September when Alice Capsey signed on to join the club, moving away from the Renegades. Capsey has become a three-pronged threat having revived her wicketkeeping skills and could take the gloves in Healy's absence - while the Sixers have also recruited local 'keeper Maddy Darke and veteran bowler Sarah Coyte from the Scorchers and Sixers respectively.

Sydney Thunder

WBBL|11 result: Seventh (4 wins, 5 losses, 1 no result)

 

Coach: Lisa Keightley

 

List spots filled: 13

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Jemma Barsby (W|12), Sam Bates (W|12), Lauren Bell (England) (W|12), Hannah Darlington (W|13), Lucy Finn (W|13), Hasrat Gill (W|12), Nicola Hancock (W|12), Laura Harris (W|12), Heather Knight (England)(W|12), Anika Learoyd (W|12), Phoebe Litchfield (W|13), Georgia Voll (W|13), Tahlia Wilson (W|13)

 

Ins: Nicola Hancock (Heat), Jemma Barsby (Strikers), Lauren Bell (England)

 

Uncontracted: Ella Briscoe, Sienna Eve, Taneale Peschel, Tara French (LRP), Alex Mavros (LRP)

 

Other WBBL|11 overseas players: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Em Arlott (England) 

The Thunder have confirmed a return for veteran England star Heather Knight for what will be her fifth season with the club. Knight announced her international retirement mid-year, and moved into an administrative role for The Hundred, but remains committed to playing the WBBL where her support for second-year skipper Phoebe Litchfield is a key attraction.

Knight was the first addition to the Thunder roster following the lifting of the contracting embargo, and the club have also bolstered their pace attack signing Nicola Hancock from the Heat. England quick Lauren Bell is also confirmed to return for the Thunder for the entire season, adding even more power and pace to its bowling brigade.

While WBBL|11 didn't pan out the way they wanted, they have a great mix of youth, experience and star power already locked away for next season and fans have plenty to be excited about. 

After originally signing a three-year deal, the Thunder have opted to not activate the third-year option in Chamari Athapaththu's contract, freeing up their eighth list spot to go to Tahlia Wilson which was enough to fend off an attempt from the Sixers to poach the keeper-batter who was a travelling reserve with Australia's T20 World Cup winning squad this year.

The Thunder have brought in experience to both its bowling and batting stocks, recruiting veterans Nicola Hancock and Jemma Barsby from the Heat and Strikers respectively.