Four Sydney Sixers are among the best players from an incredible 10 seasons of the Weber WBBL who have today 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
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.
Sixers long-time skipper, Ellyse Perry has been named captain of The Team of the Decade and is the only player to lead her WBBL side 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.
Alyssa Healy, who has 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 takes the gloves in this side.
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.
Former Sixer, Marizanne Kapp is just one of two players in the outfit to have played in three Championship-winning squads. One of 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.
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.”