Beth Mooney ends alliance with her home state after 13 years

Beth Mooney, Australia's greatest ever female cricketer, will end her 13-year association with her home state of Queensland to sign a WBBL state alliance with Western Australia for the 2022-23 season.

The 28-year-old batter moved from the Brisbane Heat to the Perth Scorchers in the WBBL two seasons ago and carried them to their first-ever WBBL title in 2021.

Mooney did not play for the Fire last season due to international commitments but was instrumental in Australia's multi-format series victories over India and England in the Ashes and their seventh World Cup title in April.

The Southpaw made her Fire debut in January 2010 when she was 16 years old and went on to represent the state in 65 Women's National Cricket League matches, scoring 1964 runs at an average of 33.

Mooney will be joining the WA squad next season, along with leg-spinner Alana King. Lilly Mills, an off-spinner who shifted from the Brisbane Heat to the Perth Scorchers last season and won the prestigious crown, will also join Western Australia.

WA head coach Becky Grundy said, "We've done well to secure 'Moons' and Lilly. We've got a nice blend of younger players and senior players, which hopefully allows us to have sustained success."

"Anytime you can add an international player to your list is obviously a huge benefit and at the moment it looks like we'll have Moons for a decent period of time over summer. Even taking away the stuff she brings on field, getting her around the girls for a few blocks of time is massive. It'll give her the chance to impart her knowledge," she concluded.