Adelaide, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : England’s star spinner Sophie Ecclestone is set to return to the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming 12th season of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The 27-year-old left-arm bowler made her debut with the Strikers last season and will once again enhance the team’s bowling lineup with her experience and skill.
The new season is scheduled to run from October 29 to December 5, with the opening match featuring the Melbourne Renegades against the Sydney Sixers. The Adelaide Strikers will kick off their campaign on October 31 at Karen Rolton Oval, facing off against the Melbourne Stars.
Ecclestone expressed her excitement about rejoining the team, stating, “I am thrilled to be back with the squad and to build on the successes we achieved last season. We are fully prepared to strengthen our position and aim for a spot in the finals.”
Strikers’ coach Luke Williams emphasized the significance of Ecclestone’s return, describing her as a world-class player. He remarked, “Sophie’s talent, experience, and ability to perform under pressure make her a vital asset to our team. Her presence will bolster our bowling attack and provide excellent leadership.”
Regarded as one of the finest bowlers in women’s cricket, Ecclestone has previously held the number one ranking in both ICC Women’s T20 and ODI formats. She played a crucial role in England’s impressive performance during the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, taking 21 wickets at an economy rate of 3.83, including a career-best 36/6 against South Africa in the semifinals. In 2023, she claimed 10 wickets in a Test match against Australia.
Ecclestone was also the leading wicket-taker in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she secured a total of 16 wickets. Her contributions were vital in helping England reach the finals of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, where she took 10 wickets.
Throughout her career, she has played 32 matches in the Women’s Big Bash League, claiming 37 wickets at an average of 21.70, alongside scoring 192 runs.
In July of this year, Ecclestone became England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in international cricket, surpassing the previous record held by Katherine Brunt during a Test match against India at Lord’s.
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