WBBL 2021: Brisbane Heat Signs Poonam Yadav For Upcoming Season

Australian franchise Brisbane Heat on Friday signed Indian leg-spinner Poonam Yadav for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2021 season.

This season, the 30-year-old player from Agra becomes the eighth Indian player to sign for a WBBL franchise, which is the most number of representations by any team for overseas players.

Poonam Yadav to join Brisbane Heat camp after Australia T20I series

Yadav, who is currently the eighth-ranked bowler in the ICC T20 International rankings, is present with the Indian women’s team in Australia, playing in the three-match T20I series.

She will link with the Heat squad in Hobart early next week, with the Brisbane-based players travelling to Tasmania today to begin their preparations.

Poonam will also be very good for the younger players in the squad: Ashley Noffke

Brisbane Heat women’s head coach Ashley Noffke said that Poonam’s inclusion has covered up the void New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr left. Noffke also mentioned that Heat skipper Jess Jonassen is keen to work with the Indian spinner.

“It’s very exciting to welcome a player of her class and experience into our group. We know there is a lot of upside to Poonam coming on board this summer,” Noffke said.

“When we lost Amelia Kerr, we were confident we could back our group to give a good account of themselves regardless. But adding Poonam’s skill and her competitiveness is a huge result. She is a different type of bowler to Melie, and we are clear on how we can best utilise her talents in our line-up. Jess Jonassen has played against her, and as captain, she is very keen to work alongside her now she is with the Heat. 

“We think Poonam will also be very good for the younger players in the squad. She has demonstrated her composure on the biggest stage in the world at the MCG and played cricket at a high level in a number of countries,” he added.

Poonam Yadav has picked 98 wickets in 71 T20 International matches at an economy rate of 5.70 and has scalped four-wicket hauls in the shortest format on three occasions.

Also Read: Women’s T20 Challenge: When I See Rashid Khan Bowl For Sunrisers Hyderabad, I Get So Excited – Poonam Yadav