Beth Mooney takes over as Perth Scorchers captain as Sophie Devine's reign ends

Beth Mooney will captain Perth Scorchers in WBBL|12 after Sophie Devine's six-year run in the job came to an end

Perth Scorchers have named Australia wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney as their captain for the new Women's Big Bash season, ending Sophie Devine's six-year stint as skipper.

Mooney has played 80 games for the club since moving west from Brisbane Heat in 2020, and takes charge a day before Perth open their campaign against Melbourne Renegades.

"It's an incredible honour and opportunity to be offered the chance to lead Perth Scorchers in WBBL|12," Mooney said in a statement. "Perth and the Scorchers have become a second home to me, and I've been fortunate to play alongside some amazing teammates and leaders during my time in WA."

Devine steps away after six years

Devine led Perth to the only women's Big Bash title in the club's history, in WBBL|07, which was her and Mooney's first season at the franchise.

The 37-year-old is Perth's most-capped overseas import, with 77 games for the Western Australian side. She played her last international in June after New Zealand's final match at the T20 World Cup, having already given up her leadership duties with the White Ferns the year before.

She remains in the squad for the full season. Devine took a team-high 15 wickets at 23.73 in WBBL|11.

"Soph has been an exceptional leader, our first championship captain and a huge driver of our fantastic team culture," head coach Becky Grundy said in a statement. "We're grateful for the enormous amount she contributed to the role."

A record without equal in the league

Mooney arrives in the role with the most decorated record in the competition. The left-handed opener is the league's all-time leading run-scorer with 5600 runs, and has been the Scorchers' leading scorer in five of her six seasons at the club.

She is also the most-capped player in Big Bash history with 155 games, and has taken the most dismissals behind the stumps, 124.

A three-time WBBL champion, Mooney won back-to-back titles with Brisbane Heat in WBBL|04 and WBBL|05 before the Perth title that followed.

She was named both player of the tournament and player of the final as Australia won a seventh T20 World Cup this year, and currently sits top of the ICC's T20 International batting rankings.

Weighing the captaincy against the runs

Grundy said the club had considered whether the extra responsibility might cut into Mooney's output with the bat, and that Mooney was part of the decision.

"I think it's always a consideration when those players take on a captaincy role and hence why 'Moons' was heavily involved in that decision making process," Grundy said.

"There's always a factor, particularly when you've got a record as prolific as hers, but we've seen her captain in other teams and have just as much success with the bat out in the middle."

Mooney has led sides before. She was the foundation captain of Women's Premier League team Gujarat Giants, and captained Manchester Super Giants in the Hundred last year.

Unfinished business after the decider

The Scorchers finished second in WBBL|11 and lost the final to Hobart Hurricanes. Mooney led their scoring with 549 runs at 45.75.

"We have a talented team that is hungry for success, especially after falling just short in last year's decider, so we're itching to step on to the field," Mooney said.

Grundy described Mooney and Devine as "very different personalities" who should continue to complement each other. "She's the heartbeat of the club and we're really fortunate that she was willing to take that on this year," the coach said of her new captain.

Renegades first up at the WACA

Perth begin WBBL|12 against Melbourne Renegades at the WACA Ground on Saturday, Mooney's first match in charge.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana is set to make her Big Bash debut in that game. She has signed as a marquee player and is available for the first eight matches.

Ines McKeon and Taneale Peschel have also joined the squad, while Maddy Darke has left for Sydney Sixers.

Mooney takes over a side that has reached four WBBL finals and won one of them.

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