Teenagers, stalwarts and new signings: Meet the players to watch ahead of the Women's Big Bash

Ahead of the start of the WBBL, The Cricketer looks at eight players from across the franchises that could make the headlines over the coming weeks

Bridget Patterson – Adelaide Strikers  

Bridget Patterson played a key role in helping Adelaide Strikers finishing runners-up in the Women’s Big Bash last year.

She scored 319 runs at an average of 26.58 – the most of any player without an international cap.

However, with Sophie Devine having moved on to Perth Scorchers, Adelaide will need more from the 26-year-old, even if overseas players Suzie Bates and Stafanie Taylor will be tasked with taking on much of Devine’s run-scoring mantle.

Laura Wolvaardt, the elegant South Africa batsman, will be well worth a watch.

Sammy-Jo Johnson – Sydney Thunder 

Sammy-Jo Johnson was the highest non-international wicket-taker in the Women’s Big Bash last year, earning her a call-up to Australia A’s squad for their series against India A.

She took 18 wickets at 20.38 apiece as part of Brisbane Heat’s title-winning side – only left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen claimed more.

With Brisbane reeling from the departure of Beth Mooney – an unquestionably central figure in back-to-back tournament wins, Johnson has also departed for pastures new.

She has joined a new-look Sydney Thunder team, without Rachel Priest and the now-retired Alex Blackwell, but replenished with Johnson and England pair Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont.

_{Johnson will be looking to impress in new colours this year}

Erin Fazackerley – Melbourne Renegades  

At 22 years of age, Erin Fazackerley is one among many promising talents in this year’s competition.

A final haul of 243 runs at 18.69 in 2019 displayed a glimpse of her potential but there is more to come from the young batsman.

She was one of several Hobart Hurricanes players last time around to pass 200 runs, though none could push on towards a competition-defining total.

What Fazackerley has learnt from that campaign will be interesting, however; she lined up alongside Heather Knight, Nicola Carey, Chloe Tryon, Corinne Hall and Fran Wilson as the fresh face in an experienced bating order.

She has moved on to Melbourne Renegades, where she will once again be surrounded by international stars. Lizelle Lee is another new signing, while Amy Satterthwaite returns as captain. Fazackerley will be tasked – in part, at least – with replacing the substantial number of runs made by former captain Jess Duffin, who is unavailable this season.

Hannah Darlington – Sydney Thunder

The 19-year-old seamer was Sydney Thunder’s highest wicket-taker last year and won the young player of the tournament award in the process.

Following that, she represented Otago in New Zealand’s Super Smash and was their top wicket-taker as well.

The wicket-taking burden on her will be reduced by the arrivals of allrounder Sammy-Jo Johnson from Brisbane Heat and former Sydney Sixers off-spinner Lauren Smith, though Rene Farrell has retired.

_{Darlington took 16 wickets in WBBL 05}

Corinne Hall – Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes captain Corinne Hall might seem like an odd choice as one to watch at 33 years of age.

However, she remains a focal point of her side’s batting options, especially having lost Erin Fazackerley and Heather Knight to rivals.

Hall enjoyed a steady campaign last season, scoring 237 runs at an average of 26.33, but her team struggled for consistency, finishing seventh. Since losing the inaugural final, it has been a perennial struggle for Hobart.

The signing of Rachel Priest is aimed at rectifying that poor run, while Chloe Tryon hits the ball as hard as anyone in the women’s game. But an injury to Tayla Vlaeminck, ruling her out of the competition, leaves them short on firepower with the ball – beyond Belinda Vakarewa, who starred last year.

Grace Harris – Brisbane Heat

Grace Harris had a quiet year last year for Brisbane Heat; however, she has talent in abundance. 

In 2019, she scored 212 runs at an average of 17.66 with a season-best 43 – below the expectations set by other and herself.

That didn’t matter too much, such was the form of Beth Mooney. However, the Australia left-hander has left for Perth Scorchers, placing no little pressure on Harris to rediscover her best – she scored the fastest WBBL century off just 42 balls against Melbourne Stars in 2018.

Twenty-year-old South Africa international Nadine de Clerk has joined and it will be hoped that she can go some way to offsetting Mooney’s exit, but it promises to be a slightly different year for Ashley Noffke’s Heat.

_{Harris scored the WBBL's fastest century in 2018}

Phoebe Litchfield – Sydney Thunder 

Hopes are high for 17-year-old Phoebe Litchfield, who impressed in the Women’s Big Bash last year, scoring 187 runs at an average of 20.77.

On the way to her maiden half century against Brisbane Heat, she looked in total control and oozed confidence as she found the boundary with ease.

She’ll be looking to build on the chance in 2020 and prove that she can do it time and time again. Litchfield is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Her efforts quickly went viral and her sudden fame had its perks; she was a surprise call-up to the charity match to raise money following the bushfires at the start of the year.

Representing a Ricky Ponting XI, she batted at No.4 – between Ponting and Brian Lara, sharing a dugout with Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Alex Blackwell, Brett Lee, Brad Haddin, Dan Christian, Nathan Lyon and Wasim Akram.

Madeline Penna – Adelaide Strikers 

Madeline Penna wasn’t initially selected for any Women’s Big Bash squad last year, but an injury on the eve of the tournament presented her with a chance to play for Melbourne Stars.

The 20-year-old took the chance and impressed, taking 10 wickets at an average of 23.20 in the competition – including 4 for 20 against Sydney Thunder.

She was one of many on the move during the off-season, joining Adelaide Strikers, where she will add to a leg-spin stable already featuring Amanda-Jade Wellington.