The Melbourne Stars have significantly bolstered their squad for the upcoming Weber WBBL|10 season by adding three international superstars through the International Overseas Player Draft. The Stars have secured the talents of South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, and Indian internationals Deepti Sharma and Yastika Bhatia, enhancing both their batting and bowling depth.
The Stars strategically used their draft picks to strengthen their lineup. After pre-selecting Marizanne Kapp, they chose to take her with Pick 12 in the second round. This clever move allowed the team to utilize their first-round pick (Pick 6) to secure Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma.
Sharma, a versatile and talented player, brings powerful batting, effective off-spin bowling, and elite fielding skills to the Stars. With 117 T20 internationals under her belt, Sharma’s experience and recent success, including winning the Hundred championship with London Spirit alongside Stars captain Meg Lanning, make her a valuable addition to the team.
In the third round, the Stars added another Indian international, Yastika Bhatia, with Pick 21. Bhatia, a wicket-keeper who can bat anywhere in the order, has demonstrated her versatility for India, having opened the batting and also played in the middle order. She recently showcased her batting prowess in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with the Mumbai Indians, making her an exciting prospect for the Stars.
With these signings, the Melbourne Stars have assembled a formidable squad, blending international experience with local talent. The team still has one domestic spot to fill before the start of the season, which will complete their lineup for what promises to be a competitive WBBL|10 campaign.
Current Melbourne Stars WBBL|10 Squad:
- Yastika Bhatia (IND)
- Sophie Day
- Kim Garth
- Marizanne Kapp (RSA)
- Meg Lanning
- Sophie Reid
- Deepti Sharma (IND)
- Annabel Sutherland
The Stars will be aiming for a strong season, with their new international signings expected to play key roles in their pursuit of WBBL glory.
