Adelaide Strikers have signed Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming season of the Women's Big Bash League.
On Tuesday (August 27), it was announced that the WBBL defending champions had secured the pre-draft signing of Mandhana for 2024/25 campaign. The Strikers have won both of the last two titles, and are aiming to become the first team to win three WBBL titles.
With this signing, each of the eight franchises has now secured their one allowed overseas signing outside of the player draft. While the likes of Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars) and Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder) have signed multi-year contracts, Mandhana has been signed by the Strikers for just one year.
Mandhana comes with a wealth of experience behind her, and is currently coming off the back of The Hundred in England, where she represented Southern Brave. Prior to that, she struck 173 runs in four innings at the Asia Cup, including 60 in the final that India eventually lost. Mandhana's form will also be key for India at the upcoming T20 World Cup, which concludes just before the WBBL season.
Read more: BBL and WBBL 2024/25: Full list of players retained and signed for upcoming season
This signing marks the third time this year alone that Mandhana will be working with coach Luke Williams. The pair worked together at the Southern Brave in 2023, winning the Hundred before reuniting at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League (WPL) earlier this year to secure the franchise's first-ever trophy.
Luke Williams: Smriti is an exceptional talent
As quoted by the Adelaide Strikers website, Williams welcomed the chance to collaborate once again with the RCB captain and Indian vice-captain: "Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers. Her technical skill, experience and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us.
"I know firsthand the dedication and energy she brings to the team and on the field. Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we drive for success in the upcoming season."
Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath also expressed her excitement at the signing, admitting that the club had "been trying to get her for a few years now". Mandhana has previously represented the Brisbane Heat (2016/17), Hobart Hurricanes (2018/19) and Sydney Thunder (2021/22) in the WBBL.
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