Sydney Thunder have made a major transfer forward of Girls’s Massive Bash League (WBBL) 12, securing the signature of three-time WBBL champion and South Australia WNCL captain Jemma Barsby on a one-year deal. The 30-year-old all-rounder will swap her Adelaide Strikers colors for lime green, bringing over a decade of elite experience, tactical maturity, and one of the crucial distinctive ability units in trendy cricket to the Western Sydney membership.
A foundation participant of the WBBL, Barsby has racked up 143 matches throughout successful stints with the Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers, and Adelaide Strikers. She has added 398 runs to the tally and scalped 96 wickets, including one of the best of 4/2, at an economy charge of 6.75. Beyond her dependability with the bat and sharp fielding, she remains a uncommon phenomenon on the planet sport: a really ambidextrous spin bowler able to switching bowling arms on demand to disrupt a batter’s rhythm.
Barsby’s impact extends far beyond her on-field stats. Recognized with multiple sclerosis (MS) at just 19 years previous, she has consistently defied expectations, rising to lead South Australia at the state stage whereas utilizing her public profile to champion cause-driven work. By way of initiatives like the ‘Jemma Barsby Basis’ and her ‘WhackMsFor6’ campaign, she has turned a personal health challenge right into a platform for advocacy, training, and inspiration for younger athletes.
Becoming a member of Sydney Thunder opens a brand new chapter for Barsby, each by way of competitors and community outreach. She noted that building real connections inside her new squad and connecting with the fan base stay prime priorities.
“My main values are belief, honesty, respect and loyalty. I feel coming over to the Thunder I want to have the ability to gain that respect from my team mates, the support staff and the Thunder Nation,” Barsby stated.
“There’s going to be an excellent mix of younger and experienced gamers. Me being one of those experienced gamers, I’m hoping I can come over and be able to bowl properly and contribute with the bat.”
The chance to hyperlink up with an exciting mix of worldwide stars and home-grown expertise was another major draw. Barsby highlighted several key teammates she is eager to collaborate with because the squad comes collectively.
“I feel what makes a profitable team is having some sport changers in your team and Thunder really have that this year. It’s going to be great linking up with Georgia Voll and Laura Harris, I’m really wanting forward to picking Heather Knight’s brain after which Phoebe as a fellow left-handed batter, wanting forward to studying a lot from her,” she added. “It’s also an opportunity for me to extend awareness of MS to a brand new public which I’m really wanting forward to doing.”
From the front office, Sydney Thunder Common Manager Trent Copeland emphasised that Barsby was a primary goal during off-season roster planning. Her present type as skipper for the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) only solidified her place as a great match for the membership’s broader technique.
“Jemma is such an accomplished participant, who is just not only skilled with bat and ball, but brings such management to our group,” Copeland stated. “After we spoke about our gaps and opportunities to go from good to great as a squad in WBBL 12 and ultimately elevate the trophy – Jemma’s name came up in several facets. She’s also had an ideal start to the domestic season as captain of the SACA.”
Copeland noted that Barsby’s psychological toughness in high-stakes situations makes her an invaluable addition to a facet chasing silverware.
“The opposite key element on this being an unbelievable get for us, is within the crunch moments of big video games we would like gamers to step head first in to that chance, and that’s precisely who Jemma is to her core,” Copeland added. “Her story, the best way she holds herself and resilience is incredibly inspiring. I’m sure not only for our gamers but our fans and members as they get to know her story. We’re stoked we could land Jemma. Convey on the WBBL”
Sydney Thunder WBBL 12 Squad (up to now)
Jemma Barsby, Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Heather Knight (INT), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
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Supply: femalecricket.com
