India Women batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues will return to the Women Big Bash League (WBBL) in the upcoming season, but with a new team.
Rodrigues has signed a contract with Melbourne Stars for the 2022-23 season, starting in October. She will become the first Indian player to represent the Stars in the WBBL.
Notably, Rodrigues had represented Melbourne Renegades in the previous season, scoring 333 runs at a strike rate of over 116. The right-handed batter, however, will miss the Stars’ first couple of matches, due to international commitments, with India competing in the Women’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh running from October 1-16.
Rodrigues expressed her enchantment after joining the Stars, stating she is looking forward to returning to Melbourne.
“I am super excited to be a part of the Stars family. I’ve been told that I’m the first-ever Indian to sign for the Stars, and it is my honour to do so. Melbourne has always been my favourite city in Australia, and I can’t wait to get back there! “ said Jemimah, as quoted by Melbournestars.com.au.
Rodrigues is the third Indian to sign for WBBL|08, alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has returned to the Renegades, and Pooja Vastrakar – signed up by Brisbane Heat.
“We have a huge following in India, and to add a player of Jemimah’s quality to our squad is a huge coup for the club. I’m sure Jemimah will quickly become a fan favourite, and we look forward to seeing her as part of the Stars Family in WBBL|08,” said Stars’ General Manager Blair Crouch.
Current Melbourne Stars squad:
Meg Lanning, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Jemimah Rodrigues (INDIA), Annabel Sutherland.
