Jo johnson

Em Arlott: England all-rounder Em Arlott’s remarkable 2025 rise hit another major milestone, with the 27-year-old signing her first-ever WBBL deal, joining Sydney Thunder as a mid-season boost to their struggling WBBL 11 campaign.

The move comes as the Thunder search desperately for fresh spark after a winless start to the season, and Arlott’s arrival—right in the middle of a breakout year—could not have been more timely.

Arlott, who earned her long-awaited England debut in May and delivered a Player-of-the-Match spell of 3 for 14 against West Indies soon after, has already linked up with the Thunder squad in Sydney. She made her enthusiasm clear from the moment the offer arrived. “I'm absolutely buzzing to be here. When I got the phone call, it was an easy yes,” Arlott said.