Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly planning to launch a women's Big Bash League (BBL) in the 2015-16 season, boosted by fresh impetus due to the recent success of the national women's team, the Southern Stars.
The commitment from CA directors at last week's board meeting is another step towards professionalism for the women's game in Australia, which recently won its third consecutive World Twenty20 title.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there may be scope for international women players like wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor and West Indies power hitter Deandra Dottin to line-up alongside local stars such as Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry in the new T20 tournament.
A CA spokesperson confirmed the board's plan, saying that it is seen as a key plank in CA's efforts to further professionalise the women's game, adding that CA felt that in order to ensure a high-quality launch, the 2014-15 season would not be appropriate due to the crowded international and domestic season that includes the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Belinda Clark, the legendary former Australian captain and Hall of Fame member who runs the National Cricket Centre, believes a women's BBL will capitalise on the gains the women's game has made in recent years.
