The legspinner fills the spot vacated by Amelia Kerr who is unavailable this season
Legspinner Poonam Yadav has joined the large group of India players who will appear at the WBBL by joining Brisbane Heat as their third overseas signing.
Yadav, who helped bundle Australia out in the opening game of last year’s T20 World Cup, fills the hole left by Amelia Kerr’s unavailability for this year’s edition and takes the number of India stars to eight.
She has had a limited role to play so far in the multi-format international series playing in just two of the ODIs where she claimed one wicket but Heat are excited about the impact she could have. Joining forces with Jess Jonassen will form a strong spin-bowling pair.
“We know there is a lot of upside to Poonam coming on board this summer,” head coach Ashley Noffke said. “When we lost Amelia Kerr, we were confident we could back our group to give a good account of themselves regardless. But adding Poonam’s skill and her competitiveness is a huge result.”
“She is a different type of bowler to Melie, and we are clear on how we can best utilise her talents in our line-up. Jess Jonassen has played against her and as captain, she is very keen to work alongside her now she is with the Heat.”
Noffke also believes Yadav can play a mentoring role with the young members of Heat’s squad from her experiences in international cricket. “We’re really keen for her to share those insights with our players during the tournament and will urge the group to learn as much as they can,” he said.
South Africa allrounders Anneke Bosch and Nadine de Klerk are Heat’s other two overseas players.
The tournament will begin with the first 20 matches all staged in Tasmania but Heat will have the chance to play four games in front of home support when the competition moves to Mackay in November.