Charlie Dean signs for Melbourne Stars for WBBL|12

England vice-captain Charlie Dean has signed a one-year deal with the Melbourne Stars for Weber WBBL|12. The 25-year-old off-spinner will make her Big Bash debut after skippering her country to an ODI series sweep over Ireland. Dean has taken 77 T20I wickets at an average of 18.32 in 120 England appearances.

Dean's signing rounds out an all-English contingent of overseas players at the Stars this season, joining national teammates Amy Jones and Dani Gibson. She fills the overseas slot left vacant by Marizanne Kapp, who withdrew to focus on international commitments. Dean is the second spinner contracted by the Stars for WBBL|12, joining experienced local left-armer Sophie Day.

The Stars will have an enviable pace line-up spearheaded by Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland. Dean said the timing is right for her to be part of the competition this season.