Sydney Sixers sign Sophie Ecclestone for WBBL

The England spinner is the No.1-ranked T20I bowler in the ICC's women's player rankings

Sydney Sixers have signed Sophie Ecclestone for the 2022/23 Women's Big Bash.

The 23-year-old England international is the No.1-ranked T20I bowler in the ICC's women's player rankings and has taken 78 wickets in 59 in the format to date.

No slouch with the bat either, Ecclestone possesses a strike rate of 148.57 in The Hundred and 125.83 for England, and has been known to operate as a pinch hitter thanks to her ability to hit big boundaries.

Somewhat surprisingly, this will be Ecclestone's first stint in the WBBL. However, after picking up 16 wickets in Australia during England's multi-format tour earlier in 2022 and a further eight wickets at the 2020 T20 World Cup – as well as posting an economy of 3.23, Sixers fans can expect great things from the bowler.

Commenting on signing for Sydney Sixers, Ecclestone said: "They play in my favourite colour – so that's a great start.

^{Ecclestone is no slouch with the bat [Nathan Stirk/Getty Images]}

"Obviously they have great players with the likes of [Alyssa] Healy, [Ellyse] Perry and [Ash] Gardner, so I'm really excited about going over and playing with them.

"It'll be nice not to have to bowl at them... it's nice they'll be on my team for once! I'm excited [to get] to know them and to start training with them and play in the same team.

"It's been a long time coming [playing in the WBBL]. I've been meaning to go for a few years now. I'm so excited that, this year, it's worked out well and I can get over there. I've seen a lot of it. A few of the England girls have been over in the past and they've loved the competition. I'll hopefully enjoy myself!"

As for what she will bring to the team, Ecclestone continued: "It's nice [Edwards] backs my batting as well as my bowling. Hopefully I can contribute as an allrounder."

Head coach, Charlotte Edwards, added: "Sophie is the [world's] leading T20 bowler – her record over the past few years speaks for itself - and we're delighted to have her at the Sixers. In my opinion, we have recruited the best.

"She can bowl in all phases of the game; she has the ability to take wickets at crucial times, and she can minimise the run-scoring at all times.

"I know the WBBL is a competition Sophie wants to play in, and the fact she's had lots of experience playing in Australia will hold her in good stead."

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