South Africa batter Mignon du Preez has been prized away from Melbourne Stars, signing with Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming WBBL season.
Du Preez, 32, has played in every edition of the WBBL for Stars sitting second on their all-time games list and second on their all-time run-scorers list. She played in the final with the Stars last season but has moved to Hobart as part of the Hurricanes recruiting drive for WBBL 07.
“I’ve obviously loved my time playing with the Stars but am really looking forward to this new challenge with the Hurricanes,” du Preez said. “From afar, the Hurricanes have been running a great program for several years now and have been building a great list over the off-season, so I can’t wait to experience it for myself.
“It’s a great competition the WBBL, involving the best group of female cricketers in the world. I think with the team the Hurricanes have built for this season, combining both old and new faces, we will really have the opportunity to make a statement on-field this year.”
Hurricanes have also recruited Australia offspinner Molly Strano from Melbourne Renegades and Rachel Trenaman, who was part of Sydney Thunder’s title-winning team last season. New Zealander Rachel Priest is also part of the squad.
The WBBL is scheduled to start on October 14 with a double-header in Sydney but the current Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra will force fixture changes, with Cricket Australia still working through the logistics. Players and teams have requested to avoid being put in a hub for the upcoming season after playing last season entirely in a biosecure bubble in Sydney.
Hobart Hurricanes WBBL squad: Nicola Carey, Mignon du Preez (SA), Maisy Gibson, Rachel Priest (NZ), Chloe Rafferty, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck
©
ESPN Sports Media Ltd.