England Captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt Joins Hobart Hurricanes for WBBL|11

In a significant pre-season acquisition, the Hobart Hurricanes have secured the services of England's cricket captain, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, for the upcoming Weber Women's Big Bash League (WBBL|11). This announcement came just moments before the commencement of the Big Bash draft, marking a major development for the Hurricanes as they aim for their first WBBL title. Sciver-Brunt, widely recognized as one of the top allrounders in women's cricket, last participated in the WBBL during the 2023 season, where she played as a replacement for the Perth Scorchers.

The Hurricanes' recruitment of Sciver-Brunt follows the transition of former South African opener Lizelle Lee to a domestic player, thus opening up an overseas player slot. Lee had originally signed a two-year contract as an international player ahead of WBBL|10 but gained Australian permanent residency, which altered the Hurricanes' roster dynamics.

Sciver-Brunt's return to the WBBL is particularly noteworthy given her previous leadership role within the England team, which she assumed after a challenging Ashes campaign in 2024-25, replacing Heather Knight. Throughout her career, Sciver-Brunt has made substantial contributions to her teams, both in domestic leagues and international competitions. Her last stint in the WBBL saw her excel in nine matches for the Scorchers, where she was permitted to play following a rapid recovery from a knee injury.

Historically, Sciver-Brunt has played two seasons with the Perth Scorchers and one with the Melbourne Stars, where she notably helped the Stars reach the WBBL|06 final. Her track record includes a remarkable performance in the Women's Premier League earlier this year, where she topped the run-scoring charts with 523 runs from just 10 matches, while also demonstrating her bowling prowess by ranking fourth in wickets taken with 12.

Salliann Beams, the High-Performance General Manager for Cricket Tasmania, expressed enthusiasm about signing Sciver-Brunt, stating, "I am delighted to have the captain of the England cricket team, and arguably the best overseas talent available, on our list for WBBL|11. Nat is one of the most damaging T20 batters in the game and has a wealth of experience that will shore up our list with her top-order batting and challenging medium-pace bowling."

As the WBBL|11 season approaches, the addition of Sciver-Brunt is expected to enhance the Hurricanes’ competitiveness, complementing a roster already featuring notable players such as Elyse Villani, Nicola Carey, and Heather Graham. The upcoming season promises to be a pivotal moment for the Hobart Hurricanes as they strive to secure their maiden championship in the WBBL, with Sciver-Brunt poised to play a central role in their campaign.