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The Perth Scorchers have signed Indonesian pacer Ni Made Putri Suwandevi as a junior opener.

The Perth Scorchers have signed Indonesian pacer Ni Made Putri Suwandevi as a junior opener.

The Perth Scorchers have strengthened their squad for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) by bringing in rising Indonesian cricket star Ni Made Putri Suwandevi as their new signing. Suvandevi, an outstanding all-rounder, has been a key member of her national team since her international debut against Hong Kong in January 2019.

The Perth Scorchers have signed Indonesian player Ni Made Putri Suwandevi as a junior rookie. PC: Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers have signed Indonesian player Ni Made Putri Suwandevi as a junior rookie. PC: Perth Scorchers

At 26, Suvandevi, also known by her nickname “Tori”, joined the Scorchers under the guidance of a junior WBBL opener. This rule allows clubs to recruit players from associated cricket countries without making them part of the 15-player squad. Tory may be called upon to replace an injured domestic player or an unavailable international, and may also serve as a fourth international in the playing XI.

Suvandevi’s performances on the international stage speak volumes. In 42 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), she has taken 49 wickets at an impressive average of 8.18, while maintaining a stellar economy rate of 2.97 runs per over. Her outstanding performance came against the Philippines where she took 5 wickets for just 8 runs.

Reflecting on her debut WBBL contract, Suwandevi shared her excitement: “I am thrilled to be joining the Perth Scorchers ahead of the WBBL | 10, in one of the best T20 competitions in the world. The WBBL is a competition that I have admired for a long time and I can’t wait to take part in it this season. “The Scorchers have been a successful team for many years and I’m really looking forward to getting to know this group and starting to work with the coaches.”

Cade Harvey, General Manager of High Performance and Elite Teams at the Perth Scorchers, also expressed his delight at signing Suwandevi: “Her international track record in Indonesia is impressive and we are delighted that she has joined the team. This collaboration with Indonesia Cricket is part of a larger effort to grow the game in their country and we hope Tory’s inclusion will be the first of many associated country players to benefit from the WBBL.”

Perth Scorchers head coach Becky Grundy praised Suvandevi’s skills and character: “Tori is an incredibly talented cricketer with a bright future. She will bring valuable insight to our team. When I saw her play in Bali, I was completely impressed by her cricketing ability and her work ethic. Her dedication fits perfectly with our team culture and we look forward to her growth within the Scorchers environment.”

This signing marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Western Australia Cricket and Persataun Indonesia Cricket, formed through a Memorandum of Understanding in January. The 18-month agreement aims to promote the development of women’s cricket in Indonesia, as well as long-term plans to improve the overall cricket infrastructure in the country. WA Cricket is committed to sharing its expertise in areas such as athlete development, training and teaching methods to help Indonesia achieve a top 10 ranking in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 rankings over the next three years.

Perth Scorchers, who won the WBBL|07 title, will begin their WBBL|10 season against the Melbourne Stars at the WACA. With the arrival of Suvandevi they have further strengthened their already impressive squad, with three local spots yet to be filled.

Perth Scorchers WBBL|10 Squad:

Sophie Devine (centre), Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddie Dark, Hemalatha Dayalan, Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Ebony Hoskin, Amy Jones, Alana King, Carly Leeson, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo, Nee Made Putri Suwandevi (junior newcomer)

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