Beth Mooney has taken over from Sophie Devine as the Perth Scorchers captain for the ongoing 12th season of the WBBL, and called the step up "a little bit daunting". Scorchers, champions in 2021 when Devine was the captain, begin their campaign on Saturday, against Melbourne Renegades at home at the WACA.
Mooney moved to Scorchers from Brisbane Heat in 2020, and has played 80 games for them since then.
"Perth and the Scorchers have become a second home to me, and I've been fortunate to play alongside some amazing team-mates and leaders during my time in WA," Mooney said in a statement. "We've built a strong culture on and off the field, and we're incredibly proud to represent the state.
"Soph has done an incredible job over the last six years, and I'll no doubt be picking her brains throughout the season. 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 and Devine both moved to Scorchers in the same season, and Devine has since been Scorchers most-capped overseas player, with 77 appearances. She led Scorchers to the final in 2025 too - their fourth appearance in the title clash - where they lost to Hobart Hurricanes.
"Soph has been an exceptional leader, our first championship captain, and a huge driver of our fantastic team culture," head coach Becky Grundy said. "We're grateful for the enormous amount she contributed to the role, and I look forward to working closely with her and Beth again this season as we target the club's second championship.
"Beth is an exceptional leader whose actions consistently set the benchmarks for those around her. Her experience at the highest level of the game, combined with her competitiveness, professionalism and genuine care for her team-mates, make her the ideal person to lead this group."
No one has scored more runs in the WBBL than Mooney, who has 5600 runs, scored for Heat and Scorchers. Before joining Scorchers, she had won the WBBL title twice with Heat, in back-to-back seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20.