Aussie stars sign for Women's Caribbean Premier League

Four Australians, headlined by former Australia skipper Meg Lanning, will feature in this year's Women's Caribbean Premier League.

Lanning has signed for new franchise Jamaica Empress, where she will be joined by Ireland's Amy Hunter, Nonku Mlaba of South Africa, Pakistan's Syeda Aroob Shah and New Zealander Rosemary Mair.

The Empress are hoping to hit the ground running by securing Lanning, by far their biggest import and most experienced player.

The 34-year-old Lanning has played in over 200 internationals and more than 150 T20s.

Other Australians joining Lanning in the Caribbean are Erin Burns (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Laura Harris and Madeline Penna - both of whom will play for Trinbago Knight Riders.

Sydney Sixers allrounder Burns scored two half centuries in 2024 for the Warriors and has also played one ODI and five T20s for Australia.

Harris, who plays for Queensland Fire in the WNCL, also represented Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder in the WBBL.

She made five appearances for the Warriors in the WCPL last year after playing for Barbados Tridents in 2023 and 2024.

Leg-spinner Penna, who plays for South Australia and Adelaide Strikers, is expected to lead the spin attack at Kensington Oval.

Barbados Tridents are the defending champions and they have announced the signings of New Zealanders Suzie Bates and Madeline Green, and fast bowling allrounder Pooja Vastrakar and middle-order batter Kiran Navgire, both of India.

South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail will play for South Guyana Amazon Warriors, while her compatriot Marizanne Kapp signed for Trinbago Knight Riders.