The Sydney Sixers have signed fast bowler Sarah Coyte on a one-year deal for Weber WBBL|12, bringing the 35-year-old back to the club she won a title with in WBBL|03.
Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said Coyte would add depth and experience to the squad. "Sarah is someone who brings a wealth of experience to our group and has consistently performed at the highest level throughout her career," Haynes said.
Coyte, who was born in Camden, New South Wales, debuted for Australia in 2010 and went on to earn 81 international caps across four Tests, 30 ODIs and 47 T20 Internationals. She took 100 wickets across all three formats and is a dual ICC Women's T20 World Cup winner.
In the Big Bash, Coyte has played 138 WBBL matches, scoring 2859 runs and taking 122 wickets. She has also won ten WNCL titles at domestic level with New South Wales.
After her title-winning campaign with the Sixers in WBBL|03, Coyte spent time with the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Renegades before returning to Sydney for the coming season.
Haynes said several current Sixers players already knew Coyte well through their shared background at the NSW Breakers. "Many of our players know Sarah well through the NSW Breakers program and speak incredibly highly of her as both a teammate and person," Haynes said.
Haynes added that Coyte's experience would benefit the squad beyond her performances with the ball. "She is a proven wicket-taker, a fierce competitor and someone whose experience will be invaluable to our squad both on and off the field. I can't wait to see her in Magenta," Haynes said.
Coyte will play under incumbent Sixers head coach Peter Clarke, who also coaches the NSW Breakers. She said the chance to work with familiar teammates and staff was part of what drew her back to the club.
"I'm so grateful and excited to return to the Sydney Sixers," Coyte said. "I have long admired the Sydney Sixers as a club and a team environment and really enjoyed my time with the club in WBBL|03."
Coyte said she was looking forward to playing again at the Sixers' home venue. "I can't wait to run out in Magenta again, and hopefully help bring a title back to our fans and to North Sydney Oval," she said.
The Sixers' Weber WBBL|12 list now includes Maitlan Brown, Caoimhe Bray, Erin Burns, Alice Capsey, Lauren Cheatle, Coyte, Sophia Dunkley, Ashleigh Gardner, Elsa Hunter, Amelia Kerr, Ellyse Perry and Courtney Sippel.
Tickets for the Sixers' WBBL and BBL fixtures are on sale now through the club's website.