Yastika Bhatia Set For Brisbane Heat Debut After India's Zimbabwe Sweep

After being part of India's 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Vadodara, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has linked up with the Brisbane Heat squad and is set to make her debut for the club against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval in the ongoing Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). Yastika's involvement with the Indian ODI side, where she registered a duck in the third and final match against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium, meant she was unavailable for the Heat's season opener against the Sydney Sixers at Allan Border Field on Friday night. The Sixers won that contest off the final ball after Australia left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton delivered a superb last over. Yastika replaces Mikayla Wrigley in the Heat's only change to the 13-member squad for the match, which begins at 2:40 pm local time.

Yastika was signed by the franchise after veteran Australia left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the season with a neck injury. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter has played 28 T20Is and 29 ODIs so far.

In July, she became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, a landmark achievement that remains the highlight of her international career.

The left-handed batter is no stranger to the WBBL, having represented the Melbourne Stars two seasons ago.

Apart from Yastika, England's Sarah Glenn and Ireland's Orla Prendergast are Brisbane Heat's overseas recruits for the ongoing season.

Another player in line for a Heat debut is 19-year-old fast bowler Catherine White. She was with the franchise last season as a local replacement player but did not feature in a match. She could make her WBBL debut if selected in the playing XI.

Brisbane Heat Squad

Georgia Redmayne (c), Lily Bassingthwaighte, Yastika Bhatia (India), Lucy Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Sarah Glenn (England), Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Charli Knott, Annie O'Neil, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Aya Stafford (Local Replacement Player), Catherine White.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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