Ecclestone Joins Strikers After Sixers Pick Dunkley

The Sydney Sixers caused a stir at the WBBL overseas draft by selecting England batter Sophia Dunkley as their No. 1 pick.

This decision meant parting ways with star spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Ecclestone, who took 11 wickets in 7 matches last season, was quickly picked up by the Adelaide Strikers with the second selection.

The Sixers made this move to strengthen their batting. General manager Rachael Haynes admitted it was a tough call. “Sophie Ecclestone has been a fantastic player. It was very hard to let her go,” Haynes said.

“But we needed to improve our batting, and we are very happy to have Sophia Dunkley join our team,” she added.

Several other clubs made key moves during the draft. The Melbourne Stars tried to select India’s Jemimah Rodrigues and England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge, but both players were retained by their teams.

The Stars then secured England wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones. Perth Scorchers kept Sophie Devine and added England’s Paige Scholfield and South Africa’s Chloe Tryon.

The Melbourne Renegades suffered a setback before the draft. Their marquee pre-signing, Hayley Matthews, was ruled out with a shoulder injury. In response, they signed Deandra Dottin and Alice Capsey.

The Renegades chose to delay filling their third overseas spot. Coach Simon Helmot said the team would wait and assess. “We do not have to rush. We will see who is in form in other tournaments before we decide,” he said.

Ecclestone’s move to Adelaide is seen as a major gain for the Strikers. The 26 year old spinner has 137 wickets in 96 T20 internationals for England.

She joins a strong squad that includes South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt and England opener Tammy Beaumont, who returns after several seasons away.

This year’s draft highlighted the careful planning of WBBL teams. Clubs worked to balance injuries and team needs as they prepare for what promises to be a tightly contested season.