The Sydney Sixers have pulled off a massive coup ahead of the tenth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League, signing New Zealand superstar Amelia Kerr on a multi-year deal.
Kerr, currently ranked No. 2 on the ICC women’s T20I bowling rankings, will don magenta for the next three WBBL seasons, reuniting with Mumbai Indians coach Charlotte Edwards at the Sixers.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to join the Sixers. It’s a team that has always competed at a high level and to be able to play alongside some world class players, I believe will help to grow my game,” Kerr said in a statement.
“Jess (Kerr) and Suzie (Bates) have both spoken so highly of the club and the environment so I’m looking forward to being a part of it and can hopefully add some value both on and off the field.”
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Kerr represented the Brisbane Heat for four seasons following her WBBL debut in 2019, helping the Queensland-based franchise win its second title later that year. The 23-year-old scored 854 runs and claimed 62 wickets in 58 appearances for the Heat, winning the club’s MVP award on three occasions.
“It was an extremely hard decision to leave Brisbane as the players and staff there have been nothing but good to me and I’m very grateful for the five seasons I’ve spent at the Heat,” Kerr continued.
“With the scheduling of women’s cricket there is not much downtime and being based in Sydney was a big part of my decision. I have close family living in Sydney which will help make the time away from home a lot of fun.
“I want to keep finding ways to better myself as a cricketer and a person so I’m looking forward to this exciting new opportunity with the Sixers.”
Joe Dawes, Queensland Cricket’s Head of Elite Cricket, confirmed the Heat were keen to retain Kerr ahead of next season, but respected the leg-spinner’s decision.
“The club has enjoyed having Melie in the group since she joined us, and it is always a challenge to move on from a player and a person who has contributed so much to our squad,” Dawes said in a statement.
“It was very rewarding to see her emerge from a tough period in her life a few years ago to then go onto make such a positive impact on her community through her off-field efforts around mental health.
“Our fans around the country will no doubt be very disappointed not to see her out on the field playing for Brisbane again this summer.
“But we thank her and her family for trusting us back when she signed her first contract to play in the WBBL and certainly wish her all the best as she takes on a new challenge.
“We have some opportunities now in the playing contracting space and will finalise those plans shortly.”
Kerr was signed under the league’s newly-introduced contract provision, which allows clubs to bypass the draft and sign an overseas player on a multi-year deal. The Sixers, searching for their first WBBL title in seven years, must secure their remaining overseas signings through the draft or as a replacement player.
“We’re obviously incredibly pleased to have secured Amelia. She’s one of the best all-rounders in the world and highly sought-after for a reason,” Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said in a statement.
“The new multi-year contract provision for overseas players has allowed us to secure Amelia for the next three years which is a huge win for our members and fans.
“For them to have the opportunity to see one of the world’s best players up close and personal is unbeatable.”
Source Agencies
