Melbourne Stars sign England duo after Marizanne Kapp withdraws from WBBL|12

The Melbourne Stars have bolstered their squad with an England pair while Marizanne Kapp exits the club. Kapp, originally slated for the 2026 WBBL campaign, has terminated her Stars contract early, choosing to place her priorities with national side South Africa. The timing of the WBBL final—just four days after South Africa’s international match‑play—prompted her decision to concentrate on her South African commitments.

Marizanne Kapp withdraws to focus on South Africa commitments

Melbourne Stars confirmed on Tuesday that Kapp will not feature in WBBL 2026 because of her international schedule. The 36‑year‑old all‑rounder explained that she wishes to dedicate herself to her duties with South Africa, whose Test series opens on 9 December, just four days after the league’s championship finale. The rapid succession of international fixtures led to her selecting her national obligations over WBBL participation.

Kapp’s absence removes one of the most experienced all‑rounders in the women’s game, yet the franchise acted swiftly to reinforce its lineup with the arriving pair. General Manager James Roggs​ten lamented the loss of Kapp while acknowledging her perspective.

“We are certainly disappointed to miss someone of Marizanne’s caliber this season,” Rosenberg quoted in a statement. He praised Kapp as one of the world’s premier all‑rounders, despite highlighting her decision to prioritize South Africa.

England duo Amy Jones and Dani Gibson have committed to the Stars for the upcoming season after honoring previous call‑ups to the club. Jones topped the run chart last year with 234 runs in 11 games at a economy of 125.80, making her a reliable bat. Gibson added solid scores of 170 runs in 11 appearances at a striking average of 139.34, complementing the core batting unit.

Their return offers continuity in the batting sector and brings familiarity grounded in the Stars’ system. General Manager Roggs​ten emphasized the pair’s versatility, noting their ability to contribute across multiple facets makes them invaluable assets in the demanding WBBL environment.

Rogengenfeld remarked, “Having both Dani and Amy back this season is a priority for us; they are highly talented cricketers whose multi‑role capability enriches our attack.”

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