Former Proteas Women wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee has qualified as a local player in Australia.
Lee, who has not represented South Africa since 2022, has been playing for Tasmania in the Women’s National Cricket League – and Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League.
“In news that will have all Hurricanes fans happy, last year’s leading run-scorer for the Hobart Hurricanes, Lizelle Lee, can now be confirmed as a local player, freeing up the overseas pre-signing spot for WBBL 11,” read a statement from Cricket Tasmania.
“Despite signing a two-year overseas pre-signing deal last summer, Lee can now sign as a local player following the approval of her Australian residency in 2024. She has now signed a two-year deal to continue her career in Tasmania for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Lee struck consecutive centuries – 150 not out and 103 – against the Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers, respectively, in last season’s WBBL
Cricket Tasmania high performance general manager Salliann Beams added: “We are delighted to have Lizelle around in purple for the next two seasons, and her batting last season was instrumental in our WBBL finals run.
“Whilst we already had her signed as our pverseas pre-signing, having her now as a local player, gives us even further flexibility to bring more talent to our WBBL squad.
“Her performances last season, especially her back-to-back tons, showed she was one of the form batters in women’s T20 cricket. It’s exciting to have her on our team.”