England batter Maia Bouchier has signed a one-year contract with the Adelaide Strikers ahead of the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season, the franchise confirmed on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Bouchier, who previously represented Melbourne Stars in the competition, fills the overseas slot vacated by Tammy Beaumont.

Bouchier Arrives in Strong Form

The right-handed batter arrives at Adelaide on the back of impressive domestic outings, having struck a one-day century against Ireland earlier this month, followed by consecutive hundreds for Hampshire in county cricket. Her signing completes the Strikers' overseas contingent, which also features England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt.

Bouchier expressed enthusiasm about the move, saying: 'I'm really excited to be joining the Adelaide Strikers and adding to an already talented squad. They've built a strong reputation in the WBBL, and I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to help the group achieve success and make a deep run into the finals.'

She also highlighted the significance of reuniting with head coach Luke Williams: 'I'm also thrilled to be reuniting with Luke Williams. We've worked together before and I have a lot of respect for him as a coach, so I'm looking forward to working with him again and getting to know my new teammates.'

What the Coaching Staff Said

Williams welcomed the signing warmly, describing Bouchier as an elite batting talent. 'Maia is an outstanding talent and someone who has established herself as one of the most exciting batters in international cricket,' he said. 'She brings a proven ability to score quickly at the top of the order, as well as valuable experience from playing in major competitions around the world.'

Williams added that he was confident Bouchier's quality — both as a player and as a person — would have an immediate impact on the squad this season.

Redmayne Takes the Brisbane Heat Captaincy

In a separate development, Brisbane Heat have appointed Georgia Redmayne, 32, as their new captain, with the Queensland wicketkeeper-batter succeeding long-serving skipper Jess Jonassen, who stepped down from state leadership roles in March. Redmayne becomes the fifth player to lead Brisbane Heat in WBBL history.

Redmayne recently guided Queensland Fire to the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) title after Jonassen's exit from state leadership. She has accumulated 2,174 runs in 87 matches for the Heat franchise, underscoring her credentials for the role.

Accepting the captaincy, Redmayne acknowledged last season's shortcomings while striking an optimistic note: 'We didn't perform to our expectations last year, but I was encouraged by the resilience and fightback from the core of the Queensland group to bounce back and win the WNCL. We have a lot to be excited about from developing the players within our group and what we can achieve this season, as well as drawing from the experience of senior players like 'JJ' (Jess Jonassen), Grace Harris, Charli Knott and our internationals.'

Heat Coach Backs the New Captain

Brisbane Heat head coach Mark Sorell backed Redmayne's appointment emphatically, pointing to her track record with the state side. 'She is a team player and a natural leader, so she understands what needs to be done for the group. Her efforts as a captain of Queensland have been first rate and we know how determined 'Red' is as an individual. We think we are in very safe hands with her,' Sorell said.

The twin announcements signal both franchises' intent ahead of a competitive WBBL campaign, with squad selections and fixture announcements expected to follow in the coming weeks.