Brisbane Heat Sign Yastika Bhatia After Jonassen Injury Blow

Brisbane, October 31: Brisbane Heat have added Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia to their roster for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), and she is in line to debut against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval. Bhatia returns from India's 3-0 one-day series whitewash of Zimbabwe.

Bhatia was unavailable for the Heat's season opener, as she was still involved in the Zimbabwe series. That match, played on Friday against Sydney Sixers, went to the final ball. The Sixers prevailed after a brilliant closing over from Australian left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton.

The signing came after Australian left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the season due to a neck injury.

With 28 T20I and 29 ODI appearances for India, Bhatia brings international experience to the side. In July, she etched her name into the record books as the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's.

The left-hander is not new to the WBBL, having represented Melbourne Stars two seasons ago. Along with Bhatia, England's Sarah Glenn and Ireland's Orla Prendergast make up the Heat's overseas players for this season.

Another potential debutant is 19-year-old fast bowler Kathryn White. She spent last season with the franchise as a local replacement player but did not take the field. She will make her WBBL debut if selected in the playing XI.

Brisbane Heat WBBL squad: Georgia Redmayne (captain), Lilly Bassingthwaite, Yastika Bhatia (India), Lucy Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Sarah Glenn (England), Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Charlie Knott, Annie O'Neil, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Aya Stafford (local replacement player) and Kathryn White.