Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @wbbl
The best players from an incredible 10 seasons of the Weber WBBL have been recognised with selection in the WBBL Team of the Decade.
The team, selected by a combination of expert panel and public voting, comprises 12 outstanding players who have delivered consistent match winning performances since the League’s inception.
The WBBL Team of the Decade is:
- Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers)
- Alyssa Healy (Wicket-keeper – Sydney Sixers)
- Meg Lanning (Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers)
- Ellyse Perry (Captain – Sydney Sixers)
- Sophie Devine (Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers)
- Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades)
- Jess Jonassen (Brisbane Heat)
- Marizanne Kapp (Sydney Sixers, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars)
- Amanda-Jade Wellington (Adelaide Strikers)
- Sarah Aley (Sydney Sixers)
- Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers)
- Molly Strano (Melbourne Renegades, Hobart Hurricanes)
The WBBL Team of the Decade selection panel includes: Clea Smith (Chair), Mel Jones, Lisa Sthalekar, Matthew Mott, Quentin Hull, Laura Jolly and Alistair Dobson.
Among the selected side are players with a combined 21 WBBL Championships as well as five Player of the Tournament and five Player of the Final awards. Six of the top seven run scorers in the competition’s history feature, as do five of the top seven wicket takers. All bar one player have been contracted in all 10 WBBL seasons.
At the top of the order are Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy, also the opening combination for Australia’s three ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victories in the WBBL era. Mooney, the only player to pass 5000 WBBL runs, is the most decorated player in the competition’s history with three titles across two clubs, twice a Player of the Final and once a Player of the Tournament. She has been named in the Team of the Tournament an incredible nine times.
Healy, with an equal League-high five centuries to her name, also boasts the highest strike rate (134.37) among regular top order players over the course of 10 seasons. The current Australian captain and wicket-keeper, Healy also takes the gloves in this side.
Former Australian captain Meg Lanning slots in at number three. The Victorian led Australia to its three T20 World Cup victories since the WBBL’s inception, while also being a regular captain of both the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers. She was the leading run-scorer in the League’s first two editions, and the inaugural Player of the Tournament.
The Team of the Decade is captained by Ellyse Perry, the only player to lead her WBBL side (Sydney Sixers) in all ten seasons, including in two title-winning campaigns. Perry is the second highest run-scorer in WBBL history, three-times the top run-scorer in a season and only the second player to break the 4000-run milestone, while also having 70 wickets to her name.
At number five is the first of the internationals, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine. Perth Scorchers’ WBBL|07 winning captain, Devine is twice a Player of the Tournament and has earned selected in the Team of the Tournament seven times. She is the competition’s third leading run-scorer with 3960, while also being one of just 13 players to pass the 100-wicket mark. Devine recently led her country to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title.
Fan-favourite Grace Harris slots into the merit side at number six. A powerful hitter, Harris has made her name as an impact player for both Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades and sits second only to Healy for strike rate (130.80) in this team. Her off spin has also earned 66 WBBL wickets.
At number seven, all-rounder Jess Jonassen slots into the side as a key contributor with bat and ball. The left-arm spinner is the League’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 176, while she also sits 16th on the all-time run charts with 2207. No player has made more League appearances than Jonassen’s 142, all of which have come in the teal of Brisbane Heat.
Alongside Mooney, Marizanne Kapp is the only other player in this outfit to have played in three Championship-winning squads. One of just two overseas players in the merit side, the South African’s swing bowling has earned her 133 wickets across stints with four clubs, placing her seventh all-time.
Amanda-Jade Wellington is the second front-line spinner in the Team of the Decade. One of just three bowlers in the 150 wickets club, Wellington’s finest moment came when earning Player of the Final honours at Adelaide Oval in the WBBL|09 decider, the Strikers’ second consecutive title.
Sydney Sixers great Sarah Aley is the only currently retired WBBL player to make the Team of the Decade. Her 89 wickets across six seasons came at an average of 17.84, the best of any bowler to take 30 or more wickets since the League began. Aley was the Player of the Final in WBBL|02 and the leading bowler that season.
Rounding out the XI is Australia and Adelaide Strikers swing bowling maestro, Megan Schutt. The highest WBBL wicket-taker among fast bowlers with 149, Schutt also owns the League’s best bowling figures in an innings (6-19). Like Wellington, she is a two-time champion with the Strikers.
Molly Strano earned the final position on the team sheet as 12th. The second-highest wicket taker of all-time (158), Strano’s ten seasons with Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes have been characterised by miserly bowling and energetic fielding.
The Team of the Decade will be celebrated at the remaining Weber WBBL|10 Finals matches on Friday at Allan Border Field and on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The team will come together at the Australian Cricket Awards in early 2025 to receive formal recognition.
Clea Smith, Cricket Australia Director and WBBL Team of the Decade selection panel chair, said:
“The WBBL Team of the Decade brings together the best of the best and the panel is proud to have overseen the process to select such a deserving team.
“All 12 players have performed extraordinary feats on field throughout the competition’s 10 seasons, while also proving themselves to be outstanding role models who have inspired record numbers of women and girls to play and love cricket. We congratulate them all on their selection and ongoing contribution to the game.
“The strength of the team is further reinforced by the names of those who missed out, a testament to the depth of world class talent across the League. The WBBL undoubtedly continues to be the world’s best cricket competition for women.
“Pleasingly, the overwhelming sentiment of the thousands of WBBL fans who submitted their selections matched the panel’s thoughts, showing what a passionate and educated fan base the League has. We thank everyone who submitted their votes for the panel’s consideration, and for your ongoing support.”
Weber WBBL|10 Finals
The Weber WBBL|10 Finals series schedule is below.
The Knockout: (INSERT RESULT)
The Challenger: Brisbane Heat v winner of The Knockout, Friday, November 29, 7:15pm AEDT/6:15pm AEST, Allan Border Field
The Final: Melbourne Renegades v winner of The Challenger, Sunday, December 1, 1:20pm AEDT, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Tickets to the WBBL|10 Finals are on sale now at www.bigbash.com.au
Every Finals match will be broadcast live on Seven, FOX SPORTS, 7plus and Kayo Sports, with radio coverage on ABC Sport and SEN.
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Name of Author: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.
