As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off in the UAE, we’ll be keeping an eye on five Melbourne Stars players who are set to represent their nations ahead of WBBL|10.
Stars set to shine at T20 World Cup
Annabel Sutherland & Kim Garth
Back-to-back Stars Player of the Season Annabel Sutherland propelled Australia to victory in the T20 World Cup warm-up against the West Indies, hitting 38 from 28 deliveries and then picking up two wickets from just one over bowled.
The 22-year-old all-rounder was also part of the Australian squad at the last two T20 World Cups.
Stars all-rounder Kim Garth has previously represented Ireland at the tournament and now heads to her second T20 World Cup with the Australian team.
Australia is looking for a four-peat at the T20 World Cup and is the most successful nation having won six Women’s T20 World Cup titles.
The defending champions face Sri Lanka in their opening match of the tournament on Saturday at 8pm (Melbourne time).
Marizanne Kapp
Marizanne Kapp, who was the Stars' preselection in this year's WBBL Draft, brings a wealth of experience to the South African side having played 107 T20 Internationals for over 1500 runs and 83 wickets.
Kapp is expected to continue to open the bowling for South Africa at the T20 World Cup, where they are hoping to go one better after losing to Australia in the 2023 decider.
South Africa’s campaign to secure their first Women’s T20 World Cup title begins against the West Indies at 8pm tonight.
Deepti Sharma & Yastika Bhatia
Deepti Sharma, selected by the Stars the opening round of the WBBL Draft with Pick 6, has a strong international T20 record with 117 matches, 131 wickets and over 1000 runs.
Yastika Bhatia, chosen by the Stars with Pick 21 in the WBBL Draft, has played 19 international T20s since debuting in 2021 providing middle order runs and appearing behind the stumps.
India’s best result was second place at the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup featuring in the final at the MCG. They face New Zealand in their first match of the 2024 T20 World Cup at 12am tomorrow.