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Australian legends, two overseas stars and a stack of record-breakers have been named in the official WBBL team of the decade, with Sixers superstar Ellyse Perry chosen to captain the 12-player squad, while Ash Gardner was a surprise omission. An expert panel and the public combined to pick the talented dozen who have won a combined 21 WBBL titles as well as five player of the tournament and five player of the final awards and include six of the top seven run-scorers in the competition’s history and five of the top seven wicket-takers. The opening pair simply had to be picked, with long-time Australian teammates Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy dominating the WBBL.
Mooney is the only player to have scored 5000 runs in competition history, and she has been named in the team of the tournament nine times in 10 years. Healy might not be as prolific as Mooney, but she has smashed five centuries and has set the tone for so many Sixers wins with an astonishing strike rate of nearly 135. The batting firepower continues with inaugural player of the tournament Meg Lanning listed at three, with the former Australian skipper joined by Perry who has scored the second-most runs in WBBL history and has also taken 70 wickets.
She’s also the only player to have led her side in all 10 seasons and has been named captain of the star-studded squad. Sophie Devine is one of just two overseas players to make the team, and it’s easy to see why. The big-hitting all-rounder is third on the all-time scoring list, while she’s one of just 14 bowlers to have taken 100 wickets.
A couple of Heat stars come in next, with the powerful Grace Harris rewarded for her dominance at the top of the order, while Jess Jonassen is the leading wicket-taker of all time and has also scored more than 2000 runs. Gardner, meanwhile, was nubbed despite being arguably the greatest all-rounder in WBBL history. Gardner is the WBBL’s 10th-highest scorer ever with 2607 runs at 22.
09 (SR 120.91), and has taken 102 wucjets at 23.37.
South African quick Marizanne Kapp has dominated at four franchises where she’s won three titles and has taken 133 wickets, while there are only two bowlers who have taken more wickets than Strikers spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington. Sixers legend Sarah Aley is the only retired player in the team, with the panel unable to ignore her 89 wickets in six seasons that came at an unrivalled average of 17.84.
And Megan Schutt was a no-brainer given she’s taken more wickets than any other quick, while she also boasts the best bowling figures in WBBL history and has won two titles. “The WBBL team of the decade brings together the best of the best and the panel is proud to have overseen the process to select such a deserving team,” Cricket Australia director and WBBL team of the decade selection panel chair Clea Smith said. “All 12 players have performed extraordinary feats on field throughout the competition’s 10 seasons while also proving themselves to be outstanding role models who have inspired record numbers of women and girls to play and love cricket.
“We congratulate them all on their selection and ongoing contribution to the game. “The strength of the team is further reinforced by the names of those who missed out, a testament to the depth of world-class talent across the league. The WBBL undoubtedly continues to be the world’s best cricket competition for women.
“Pleasingly, the overwhelming sentiment of the thousands of WBBL fans who submitted their selections matched the panel’s thoughts, showing what a passionate and educated fan base the league has.” WBBL Team of the Decade: 1. Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers) 2.
Alyssa Healy (Wicket-keeper – Sydney Sixers) 3. Meg Lanning (Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers) 4. Ellyse Perry (Captain – Sydney Sixers) 5.
Sophie Devine (Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers) 6. Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades) 7. Jess Jonassen (Brisbane Heat) 8.
Marizanne Kapp (Sydney Sixers, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars) 9. Amanda-Jade Wellington (Adelaide Strikers) 10. Sarah Aley (Sydney Sixers) 11.
Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers) 12. Molly Strano (Melbourne Renegades, Hobart Hurricanes).
