WBBL 2021-22: Adelaide Strikers sign Laura Wolvaardt for the upcoming season

South African batter Laura Wolvaardt will yet again turn out for Adelaide Strikers in the upcoming seventh edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The right-hand batter is currently in a rich vein of form especially in the T20I format and is enjoying coming in the middle-order rather than opening the innings.

In one of the T20I matches against West Indies, she dispatched four sixes in an over of the bowling of Hayley Matthews and ended up scoring 33 runs off just nine balls. Wolvaardt will look to have an impact for the Strikers in the upcoming edition as well. The South African batting star is also the first overseas player confirmed by Strikers on Tuesday (14 September).

"We are thrilled that Laura will be back in Adelaide this season. She is someone that adds immeasurable quality to our team both on and off the field," Strikers' general manager Kate Harkness said according to ESPNCricinfo.

"Laura is one of the most talented cricketers in the world, and to have so much experience at such a young age is an incredible achievement."

Wolvaardt had a great season with the bat for the Strikers last year as she scored 347 runs in the 14 matches for the franchise. The franchise ended up in the sixth position in the points table and will be looking to improve on the standings this year. It remains to be seen if Suzie Bates returns to Strikers this year.

Meanwhile, Wolvaardt has now become the fifth South African player confirmed for this year’s WBBL. Nadine de Klerk and Anneke Bosch at Brisbane Heat, Mignon du Preez at Hobart Hurricanes, and Marizanne Kapp at Perth Scorchers.

There are potential players like Dane van Niekerk, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, and SuneLuus from South Africa, who are yet to ink a deal for the 2021-22 season of WBBL.