Sixers draft Sophie Eccelstone

Sixers have drafted in the World’s No. 1 T20 bowler Sophie Eccelstone ahead of Women’s Aus T20 League 2022. Ecclestone will be making her debut appearance in the competition under the tutelage of former England skipper Charlotte Edwards who is the coach of the Sixers franchise. Edwards expressed her delight at ‘recruiting the best’

Sophie is the [world's] leading T20 bowler - her record over the past few years speaks for itself - and we're delighted to have her at the Sixers," Edwards said. "In my opinion, we have recruited the best.

"She can bowl in all phases of the game; she has the ability to take wickets at crucial times, and she can minimise the run-scoring at all times. I know the Women’s Aus T20 League is a competition Sophie wants to play in, and the fact she's had lots of experience playing in Australia will hold her in good stead," Edwards said.

Though Ecclestone hasn’t competed in the tournament before, she enjoyed a successful World T20 series down under in 2020, where she picked 8 wickets in 4 matches at an economy rate of 3.23. Since making her debut at a young age of 17, the left arm spinner has bagged 78 wickets in 58 appearances in the shortest format. 

“They play in my favourite colour - so that's a great start," Ecclestone said. "Obviously they have great players with the likes of [Alyssa] Healy, [Ellyse] Perry and [Ash] Gardner, so I'm really excited about going over and playing with them.

"It'll be nice not to have to bowl at them... it's nice they'll be on my team for once! I'm excited [by the thought of getting] to know them and to start training with them and play in the same team," she added.

"It's been a long time coming," Ecclestone said of playing in the Women’s Aus T20 League "I've been meaning to go for a few years now. I'm so excited that, this year, it's worked out well and I can get over there.I've seen a lot of it. A few of the England girls have been over in the past and they've loved the competition. I'll hopefully enjoy myself!"

With just 4 wins in 14 games, the women in pink finished last in the last year’s edition. They will hope to do better with their latest signing.