After Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana has become the second Indian player to sign a deal with Big Bash League franchise. The India Women’s opener has been signed up by Brisbane Heat for the second season of Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The franchise announced the deal on Tuesday (September 27).
https://twitter.com/HeatWBBL/status/780566212077981697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The 20-year old, who is known for her elegant batting skills, impressed one and all when she scored her maiden ODI hundred against the Southern Stars in Hobart during India’s tour of Australia in February. She also played a vital role in India’s first-ever series win against the hosts by playing a crucial knock of 29 and 22 not out at the Adelaide Oval and Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) respectively in the T20I series.Earlier in August, Heat also roped in West Indies batting star Deandra Dottin.
Expressing her delight over the deal, Mandhana said that she is keen to get an insight over different aspects of the game from the Australian players.
As quoted on the official website of Cricket Australia, she said:“I am looking forward very much to working with the Australian girls in the Heat squad after playing against them last season.”
“That was a good series, and I noticed there was a definite difference between their preparation and our preparation so I am keen to learn from the differences. Things like fitness and how they train for a series like the WBBL and the way they work on their fielding are areas I am interested in.
“It will be exciting to live in a different city and meet new people as well as travel around Australia again,” she said.
Talking about the league, she said: “I saw some of the coverage last year and it was an excellent standard.”
“The players looked to be really enjoying the experience. Hopefully, I can perform well and help to encourage more girls to take up cricket from a young age, both here in India and in Australia.”
Earlier in July this year, Indian Women team’s vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur became the first player from India to sign for a BBL franchise when she penned a deal with defending champions Sydney Thunder.