Australian T20 World Cup winner Mooney to lead Gujarat Giants at Women’s Premier League

Australia's T20 World Cup winner Beth Mooney will lead Adani Gujarat Giants at the inaugural Women's Premier League, the franchise announced on Monday.

An aggressive batter and wicketkeeper, Mooney hit an unbeaten 74 to win player of the match against South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup at the weekend.

She is one of few batters with multiple centuries in Women's T20 and is "one of the most reliable members" of the Australian team, the franchise said in a statement.

India's spin-bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana will be Mooney's deputy at the five-team tournament which, according to media reports, is already the second-most valuable women's sports league after the WNBA women's basketball league.

The Board of Control for cricket in India sold the WPL franchise rights for $572.5 million in January, only months after its media rights were auctioned for $116.7 million.

Mooney was one of dozens of top women cricketers from across the world who secured deals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at the WPL player auction in February.

The WPL is seen as a potential money-spinner like the Indian Premier League men's tournament and observers say it could revolutionise the women's game in the next few years.

Mooney said she was delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the team in the inaugural competition.

"The squad is keen to get the ball rolling soon and put out an entertaining and effective brand of cricket in the debut season of WPL which will hopefully lead us to the trophy," she said in a statement.

Adani Gujarat Giants will play the opening match of the tournament against Mumbai Indians on March 4.

Agence France-Presse