South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, has secured her spot with the Adelaide Strikers for two more years in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), becoming their pre-draft overseas signing.
Wolvaardt, who has been a consistent performer for the Strikers, has participated in 71 matches over five seasons, accumulating 1,726 runs with an average of 27.83 and a strike rate of 110.92. Despite her efforts, the Strikers experienced a challenging season last year, finishing seventh with only three wins from ten games, failing to claim a third consecutive title.
Reflecting on her connection with the Strikers, Wolvaardt shared, “The club has become a second home to me, and I’ve made so many incredible memories here, especially our back-to-back championship wins. While last season didn’t go as we hoped, I’m incredibly excited about the future and determined to help bring more success to the Strikers and our amazing fans. I can’t wait to get back to Adelaide with the team.”
Strikers’ head coach, Luke Williams, expressed his enthusiasm about Wolvaardt’s re-signing, stating, “Laura is a world-class player and a vital part of the Strikers family, so we are ecstatic to have her sign on for two more years. Her skill with the bat, combined with her leadership and experience, is invaluable. She has consistently performed under pressure and played a huge role in our previous championship successes. We know she will be a key pillar for us as we build towards a strong WBBL|11 season and beyond.”
As the overseas player draft for both the WBBL and Big Bash League nears on 19th June, all clubs have the opportunity to secure one pre-signed player. Presently, Melbourne Renegades remain the only team yet to fill this position in the WBBL.
