Deandra Dottin returns to Thunder
Thunder Cricket is delighted to announce the overseas signing and return of Deandra Dottin.
Dottin comes back to the Thunder for a second successive summer and this time the West Indian all-rounder will be available for the region’s full 2023 domestic campaign.
The 31-year-old arrived back in Manchester this week and will be in contention for Thunder’s opening match of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy against South East Stars at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday.
Dottin played six matches for Thunder last summer during which time she also called time on her international career so that she could focus on playing domestic cricket around the world.
She made 270 appearances across both formats for the Windies, scoring 6,424 runs including five centuries and 34 half-centuries, whilst also taking 134 wickets for her country.
Dottin nicknamed ‘World Boss’ is regarded as one of the most powerful players in world cricket and became the first female to hit a T20 International hundred, which came in just 38 balls.
During recent years, she has developed her game further and become a skilful pace bowler as well as a fielder who regularly pulls off headline grabbing catches.
In addition to the signing of Dottin, Thunder can also confirm that Steph Butler and Hannah Rainey have been added to the squad for 2023 - with both players signing pay-as-you-play contracts.
Spin bowling all-rounder Butler, who has previously played for Central Sparks in regional cricket, joined Thunder’s pre-season tour and impressed with her performances in Dubai and Mumbai.
Scottish seamer Rainey has spent time training at Emirates Old Trafford during the winter months. The 25-year-old has featured in 24 T20 internationals for Scotland since 2018.
It’s been a busy off-season for Thunder with the signings of Naomi Dattani, Fi Morris and Tara Norris followed by Liberty Heap, Seren Smale and Daisy Mullan all signing their first professional contracts.
Regional Director of Women’s Cricket for the North West, David Thorley said: “Firstly, we are thrilled to be able to welcome Deandra back to Emirates Old Trafford and to have here with us and available for the entire regional domestic season is a real advantage.
“It was brilliant to have somebody with Deandra’s experience and skill around our squad last summer, albeit for only in two brief spells, so we are really looking forward to having her around for much longer which will hopefully lead to lots of productive performances out on the pitch.
“It has been a real winter of transition for us after adding experienced players such as Naomi, Fi and Tara to our squad and we are really pleased that both Steph and Hannah have accepted our offers of pay-as-you-play contracts for this summer.
“With younger players such as Liberty, Seren and Daisy also signing contracts with us, competition for places in the final eleven is going to be fierce with so many talented cricketers competing to play.
“We are looking forward to what should be a really exciting and progressive season for the Thunder, which begins on Saturday at Emirates Old Trafford.”