September 1, 2024

WBBL Draft: Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma Chosen in First Round

In the WBBL draft, six Indian players were selected in the first three rounds, starting with the pre-signed Smriti Mandhana. In the first round, Deepti Sharma was chosen by Melbourne Stars as the fourth pick, and Jemimah Rodrigues went to Brisbane Heat as the seventh pick.

Danni Wyatt was the first player overall to be picked, going to Hobart Hurricanes. Premier spinner Sophie Ecclestone joined Sydney Sixers, while Adelaide Strikers selected Laura Wolvaardt. Sydney Thunder picked Heather Knight, and Deandra Dottin, who recently came out of international retirement, was chosen by Melbourne Renegades.

In the second round, Shikha Pandey was picked by Brisbane Heat, while Adelaide Strikers passed. Perth Scorchers retained Amy Jones for this round.

Hemalatha Dayalan was the top pick in the third round, joining Perth Scorchers. Brisbane Heat passed again, while Melbourne Renegades selected Alice Capsey. Sydney Thunder picked their pre-signed player Chamari Athapaththu. Melbourne Stars signed Indian wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia, and Smriti Mandhana, pre-signed by Adelaide Strikers, was also picked in this round. Sydney Sixers passed in the third round.

In the fourth round of the WBBL draft, four teams passed: Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, and Perth Scorchers. During this round, Orla Prendergast from Ireland was picked by Adelaide Strikers, and Nadine de Klerk was selected by Brisbane Heat as the final player of the draft.

Here’s a summary of the draft picks:

First Round:

• Deepti Sharma – Melbourne Stars
• Jemimah Rodrigues – Brisbane Heat
• Danielle Wyatt – Hobart Hurricanes
• Sophie Ecclestone – Sydney Sixers (Retention)
• Heather Knight – Sydney Thunder (Retention)
• Laura Wolvaardt – Adelaide Strikers (Retention)
• Deandra Dottin – Melbourne Renegades
• Sophie Devine – Perth Scorchers (Pre-signed)

Second Round:

• Chloe Tryon – Hobart Hurricanes
• Amelia Kerr – Sydney Sixers
• Hayley Matthews – Melbourne Renegades
• Marizanne Kapp – Melbourne Stars
• Shabnim Ismail – Sydney Thunder
• Shikha Pandey – Brisbane Heat
• Amy Jones – Perth Scorchers (Retention)
• Passed – Adelaide Strikers

Third Round:

• Hemalatha Dayalan – Perth Scorchers
• Alice Capsey – Melbourne Renegades
• Chamari Athapaththu – Sydney Thunder (Pre-signed)
• Yastika Bhatia – Melbourne Stars
• Smriti Mandhana – Adelaide Strikers (Pre-signed)
• Lizelle Lee – Hobart Hurricanes (Pre-signed)
• Passed – Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers

Fourth Round:

• Hollie Armitage – Sydney Sixers
• Orla Prendergast – Adelaide Strikers
• Georgia Adams – Sydney Thunder
• Nadine de Klerk – Brisbane Heat
• Passed – Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, and Perth Scorchers

The 2024 WBBL season starts on October 27 with Adelaide Strikers hosting Brisbane Heat. The tournament will feature 43 matches, concluding with the final on December 1.

Khurram Shahzad Dismantles Bangladesh’s Batting

Khurram Shahzad delivered a stunning performance, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his seven-over spell, dismantling the Bangladesh top and middle order. He claimed three wickets in five balls across two overs, with strong support from Mir Hamza, who took 2 for 24. Despite a valiant unbeaten partnership of 49 between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das, Bangladesh ended the first session at 75 for 6.

Shahzad and Hamza made the new ball swing both ways in the opening hour. Hamza nearly had Zakir Hasan twice in one over, with a close leg-before decision and a shot that narrowly evaded the fielder. Zakir was eventually dismissed by Shahzad, who also bowled out Shadman Islam and then clean bowled skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who lost his balance trying to play a glance.

Hamza finally got his reward when Mominul Haque chipped a catch to mid-on. Mushfiqur Rahim, the Player of the Match from the first Test, was dismissed for just one after nicking a delivery to the keeper. Shahzad also trapped Shakib al Hasan in front with a delivery that beat his defensive shot.

At 26 for 6, Mehidy Hasan Miraz counterattacked with two boundaries off Hamza, while Litton Das added a boundary off Shahzad, who was bowling his seventh consecutive over. As the pitch eased and the sun continued to bake the surface, the batters found it easier to score. Mehidy hit seven boundaries in his unbeaten 33.

Brief Scores:

• Pakistan: 274 all out in 85.1 overs (Saim Ayub 58, Shan Masood 57; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-61, Taskin Ahmed 3-57)
• Bangladesh: 75 for 6 in 26 overs (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 33*, Litton Das 13*; Khurram Shahzad 4-15, Mir Hamza 2-29)

Pakistan leads by 199 runs.