New Zealand superstar Sophie Devine set to feature in both the WNCL and WBBL this summer
Strikers, SA call on Devine intervention
Superstar New Zealand international Sophie Devine will return to South Australia this summer, signing on for another season with the Adelaide Strikers in the Rebel WBBL.
In a major coup for South Australia, Devine will also line up for the Scorpions in the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League, further strengthening a squad that has already lured rising Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner across from NSW.
“I’m really excited to play both 50-over and Twenty20 formats through playing with both SA teams,” said Devine, who played four games for the Scorpions in 2014-15 and 2015-16.
“Obviously, the Scorpions have had some really good success in the last couple of years so I’m looking forward to getting back into it.
“It’s great to come back to Adelaide - it’s sort of a second home now which is really nice.”
The barnstorming allrounder scored the only century of WBBL|02 when she smashed 103 off 48 balls against Hobart in Glenelg and the Strikers hope there are more fireworks to come.
She scored 270 runs at 38.57 in nine matches for the Strikers last summer and while a thumb injury sidelined Devine for the end of the 2016-17 season, she returned with a bang in the Women’s World Cup in England in July, blasting 93 from 41 balls against Pakistan and becoming the first batter to hit nine sixes in a women’s ODI innings in the process.
“Soph will get more opportunity with the new ball in the 50-over format and she has some good pace so we can definitely utilise that Scorpions and Strikers Head Coach Andrea McCauley said.
“Her batting is also very dynamic, whatever format she is playing in.
“She will boost our middle-order with not just her ability but her experience. She has played at the top level for a long time and is a fairly level-headed sort of character who has a calming influence on the group.
“Her knowledge will be absorbed by the young ones who haven’t worked with her before.”
The Scorpions will begin their WNCL campaign on October 6 against Western Australia at Adelaide Oval No.2.
The Strikers also begin WBBL|03 at home, against Hobart Hurricanes in Glenelg on December 9.
Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes
Schedule
First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22
Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust
Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26
Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29
Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA
Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12
First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17
North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation
Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19
Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21
Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT