Sydney Thunder have signed South Australia WNCL captain Jemma Barsby on a one-year deal for Weber WBBL|12, adding a three-time WBBL champion to their squad for the coming season.
Barsby, 30, has played 143 matches across the Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers since the league's first season, and is known for her ability to bowl spin with either arm.
"My main values are trust, honesty, respect and loyalty," Barsby said. "I think coming over to the Thunder I want to be able to gain that respect from my team mates, the support staff and the Thunder Nation."
She said she expected to bring experience to a squad blending youth and senior campaigners.
"There's going to be a good mix of young and experienced players," she said. "Me being one of those experienced players, I'm hoping I can come over and be able bowl well and contribute with the bat."
Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said Barsby's leadership matched her ability on the field.
"Jemma is such an accomplished player, who is not only skilled with bat and ball, but brings such leadership to our group," Copeland said. "We're stoked we could land Jemma. Bring on the WBBL!"
Barsby was born in Herston, Queensland, on 4 October 1995. She bats left-handed and can bowl right-arm off break or slow left-arm orthodox, a rare combination in the women's game.
She began her career with Queensland and the Brisbane Heat before moving to the Perth Scorchers and then the Adelaide Strikers, winning three WBBL titles along the way.
Barsby was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 19 and has since campaigned for awareness of the condition through the Jemma Barsby Foundation and the WhackMsFor6 campaign.
"It's also an opportunity for me to increase awareness of MS to a new public which I'm really looking forward to doing," she said.
Thunder head coach Lisa Keightley will have Barsby available alongside a squad that includes Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, England international Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll and Tahlia Wilson.
Sydney Thunder open their home campaign against the Brisbane Heat at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday, November 1, before matches against the Perth Scorchers on November 5, the Melbourne Stars on November 16 and the Sydney Sixers on November 28, all at the same venue.