The British invasion is on - some of the best female cricketers England has to offer will be in Australia this summer to play in the first Women's Big Bash League.
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Australian captain Meg Lanning, widely considered one of the best batters in the world, will play for the Melbourne Stars, while top wicket-keeper Englishwoman Sarah Taylor will appear for the Adelaide strikers.
Esteemed English captain Charlotte Edwards will be gracing the Perth Scorchers' batting line-up.
The sense of excitement was tangible among players who gathered to launch the WBBL at the Toorak Cricket Club on Wednesday morning.
This showcase of the cream of women's cricket has been a long time coming, English fast bowler Kate Cross said.
The first game between the Stars and Brisbane Heat is on Saturday, the start of the inaugural WBBL season.
Cross said she had been impressed by the professionalism of Australia's state teams and the access they had to high quality training, something English players were striving to achieve.
"There's no doubt Australia knows what it's doing when it comes to women's cricket," she said.
Cross said it was exciting to play among the best in the world and she was looking forward to proving the women's game was just as entertaining as the men's version.
"We've got a stage to showcase our product and as you know we don't get a lot of airtime," she said.
"I think it's something that's been needed, I think it's something that's been a long time coming and Australia's put it all together... it's going to be a great competition."
Lanning said she was looking forward to taking on the Melbourne Renegades.
"We actually played a practice game last week after we finished up our Victorian stuff, a little muck-around game, and that sort of started rivalry," she said.
"There's no doubt that the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars' competition is really high in the men's and ... it'll be the same in the women's."
The women's game was slightly different to the men's - there were fewer boundaries, but more scoring shots, she said.
"But I think we've seen the power hitting and athleticism in the women's game increase over the last few years, so really looking forward to getting out there and showing what the women's game can produce."
Lanning said British players including Edwards and Taylor bring some extra star power to the competition and give younger players the opportunity to play with some of the best.
Her younger sister Anna, a 21-year-old all-rounder, will also appear for the Stars this summer.
"Hopefully she can move through the rankings and really and get some experience at a top level and see where she can go."
