Associate Rookies named for Rebel WBBL|02

The eight Rebel Women’s Big Bash League Associate Rookies have today been confirmed with players from seven different nations set to take part in the second edition of the competition.

The joint initiative between Cricket Australia (CA) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) provides the opportunity to further develop emerging players in non-traditional cricket countries and in Rebel WBBL|02, will include players from Hong Kong, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, China and Nepal.

The program provides players the opportunity to be exposed to elite cricket, with the eight rookies to train with their WBBL club during a two-week placement and attend home matches during that period. In the event of an injury to a contracted player, rebel WBBL clubs will be permitted to use their Rookie as a local replacement player, which would not contribute to the club’s overseas player limit.

“The ICC is very excited by this program, which provides a fantastic opportunity for some of the top female cricketers in Associate and Affiliate Cricket to experience and learn from the best female players in the world. The commitment from Cricket Australia to provide opportunities such as these is very much valued and highlights the benefits of a globally integrated approach to the growth of the game,” said ICC Interim Head of Global Development Andy Hobbs.

Head of Big Bash League, Anthony Everard said he was delighted with ICC’s continued commitment to the project.

“The inaugural season of the WBBL was a great success last summer and through this initiative, players from non-traditional cricket countries were able to be a part of that.”

“Last year’s rookies had a really positive impact on both their clubs and local communities and we are excited to have a new crop of players for WBBL|02.”

Rebel WBBL|02 Associate Rookies:

The Rebel WBBL begins with a free, carnival-style opening weekend on Saturday, 10 December and Sunday, 11 December at North Sydney Oval. With all Rebel WBBL clubs in attendance, six matches being played over the course of the two days, and plenty of family fun throughout the North Sydney Oval precinct, this weekend is the perfect start to the season.

Four matches on the weekend will be broadcast on Network Ten, including a prime time match on the Saturday evening, with the Melbourne Stars taking on the reigning premiers the Sydney Thunder, live from 6.00pm. This will be the first time a standalone women’s sporting competition has been broadcast in prime time on a commercial free-to-air television network’s primary channel. The remaining two matches will be live streamed by Cricket Australia.

For more information about the Rebel WBBL please visit bigbash.com.au.