Marquee signing Nida Dar becomes first Pakistani to play in WBBL as Sydney Thunder aim for glory

WOMEN'S BIG BASH LEAGUE PREVIEW - SYDNEY THUNDER: Transfer exodus and change at the top as Rachael Haynes replaces Alex Blackwell for side edged out in semi-finals

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Coach: Trevor Griffin

Captain: Rachael Haynes

Overseas players: Nida Dar (Pakistan), Rachel Priest (New Zealand)

Australia national team players: Rachael Haynes (central contract), Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson (both National Performance Squad)

Last season: Second in the group stage

How did they do last season? Desperately unlucky in the semi-final, where they were on course for a dramatic victory until Nicola Carey was caught on the boundary off the final ball trying to hit out.

Key players?

Rachael Haynes: The new skipper has captained Australia to an Ashes victory and last season top-scored for Thunder with 376 runs at 31.33. Having the knowledge of 35-year-old Alex Blackwell, who has signed on for a record-equalling 19th domestic season, will help too.

Nida Dar: The 32-year-old, nicknamed ‘Lady Boom Boom’, will become the first Pakistan player to feature in the WBBL as a replacement for powerhouse Stafanie Taylor, who has moved to the Strikers. Dar has played in 96 T20Is, with 1,086 runs and 88 wickets, and has the top-level experience to make an immediate impact.

Rachel Priest: The Kiwi has more than 10 years of experience for her country, including 86 ODIs and 68 T20Is, and was voted the Thunder’s MVP last season after 338 runs at 24.14 and a strong strike-rate of 134.12.

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Nida Dar becomes the first Pakistani to play in the Women's Big Bash

Strengths

Of their four defeats, only one was by a large margin, six wickets against the Scorchers, suggesting they’re almost always competitive in games.

Weaknesses

Losing their top wicket-taker from last season in Stafanie Taylor is a blow, and while the team does achieve more than the sum of its parts, the lack of an outstanding season from either a batter or bowler may have hindered their campaign. The addition of X-factor allrounder Dar could be the answer.

England involvement

None.

Squad: Rachael Haynes, Sam Bates, Alex Blackwell, Nida Dar, Hannah Darlington, Rene Farrell, Lisa Griffith, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Phoebe Litchfield, Kate Peterson, Rachel Priest, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson

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