Several big named Australians are out of contract. Who could be of interest when the contract window opens?
Next season's Women's Big Bash League has yet to be given a start date, nor has the contract window ahead of it.
However, when WBBL|06 goes ahead, there is a strong possibility that it could be held without its biggest international stars. With the possible notable exception of New Zealanders, who would be part of the trans-Tasman travel bubble currently being considered, all other nationalities could be prohibited from coming to Australia.
Last season saw numerous foreign stars from England, Ireland, New Zealand Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Should the travel restrictions not change, current out of contract Australian players will arguably be of great value for WBBL teams trying to round out their playing squads.
Several big names are currently out of contract and available.
The biggest name is arguably national team captain, Meg Lanning. She spent her two first WBBL seasons with the Melbourne Stars. She has spent the last three with the Perth Scorchers, missing out on WBBL|03 due to a shoulder injury.
In her four active seasons Lanning has made 1982 runs, including 531 last season. It is for this reason that new Scorchers coach Shelley Nitschke has stated that keeping Lanning in Perth is her "No.1 priority". The 11 time WBBL Player of the Match has stated she has yet to make a decision as to her domestic T-20 future.
Going east a big name out of contract for the Adelaide Strikers is Kangaroo Island native Bridget Patterson. She scored 319 runs and two half-centuries during WBBL|05, earning her a call up to the Australia A national team.
Her performances also helped the Strikers reach their highest ever WBBL finish, coming runners up to the Brisbane Heat with a franchise high 10 regular season wins.
Should the Adelaide team want to match or best this record they will want to keep Patterson's hitting power.
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