Image Credit- CA
In the lead-up to the WBBL season, the Melbourne Stars signed South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, an all-around player, for a three-year contract, which is a big move.
The new option, which permits clubs to contract one multi-year pre-draft player, has secured Kapp, who was the No. 1 overall pick to the Sydney Thunder last season.
After playing for the Delhi Capitals the previous two WPL seasons, Kapp signed with the Stars because he wanted to work with former Australia captain Meg Lanning and coach Jonathan Batty of the team.
“I’ve been working with JB [Jonathan Batty] for a couple of years and then obviously working with Meg was a big factor for me moving, I like the way they work,” Kapp said.
Additionally, Kapp has played for the Perth Scorchers, where she won Player of the Final in the 2021–22 season, and the Sydney Sixers, where she participated in back-to-back championships.
Earlier this year, Kapp was a major part of South Africa’s tour of Australia, when she scored 75 runs and took 3 for 12 at North Sydney Oval in their first ODI victory over the home team.
Kapp joins Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers) and Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat) as the third foreign player in the WBBL to be signed prior to the draft. The WBBL season is scheduled to start soon after the T20 World Cup in late October, while the draft is anticipated to occur in early September.
“Marizanne is one of the best allrounders in the world with an outstanding record at both domestic and international level,” Melbourne Stars general manager Blair Crouch said. “As well as her talents with both bat and ball she will add invaluable experience to our young squad in our quest to be among the challengers for WBBL 10.”