The Scorchers targeted former England captain Heather Knight, prompting the Thunder to use their retention pick in the 6th pick. Before picking up an injury against the West Indies, Knight scored 109 runs from two innings, remaining not out on both occasions, with a strike rate of 147.30.
In 88 innings in the WBBL, Knight has scored 2309 with an average of almost 31. Apart from the high average, she has maintained a decent strike rate of almost 115. Her experience will further bolster the batting department, which already has the likes of Laura Harris and Phoebe Litchfield. Knight also offers valuable bowling options, having taken 54 wickets in the WBBL to date, and can contribute a few overs when needed.
The Thunder secured Chamari Athapaththu in the pre-draft overseas player signings. The flamboyant left-handed batter, the Sri Lankan skipper, was the second-highest run scorer in WBBL|09, amassing 552 runs, just five behind Beth Mooney. A powerful hitter, Athapaththu also provides an off-spin option to strengthen the Thunder’s bowling attack. With 27 wickets and 1,254 runs in the WBBL to date, she has proven her all-round prowess.
With Pick 19 in the fourth and final round, Thunder bagged one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, Shabnim Ismail. The South African fast bowler was signed under the Gold salary contract. The pacer played an important role in the Mumbai Indians’s victory campaign, picking up 9 wickets with an impressive economy of just 6.78. Ismail has been clinical in WBBL too, having taken 61 wickets. The fast bowler will bring her experience and thus lead the pace bowling line-up of Sydney Thunder.
With the inclusion of these experienced campaigners, Sydney Thunder has assembled a well-balanced squad, which also features young talents like Hasrat Gill. They will look to improve on last season’s third-place finish and aim to clinch the title for a record third time.
WBBL 2025 Draft selections for Sydney Thunder
Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Heather Knight (England), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka, pre-signing)
