YORKSHIRE Diamonds have signed former Australia women’s captain Alex Blackwell as one of their three overseas players for this summer’s inaugural T20 Super League.

Blackwell, a 32-year-old batter, led her country to the World T20 title in 2010 and has played in two one-day World Cup-winning campaigns.

She is one of a trio of overseas players announced by Yorkshire, with the others being compatriot Beth Mooney, a wicketkeeper-batsman, and fiery South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail.

Most recently, Blackwell captained Sydney Thunder to the Australian Women's Big Bash title in January.

"Her experience will be key because we've got quite a young squad,” said coach Rich Pyrah.

“She won the Big Bash as captain, and that's going to be massive for us.

"That was one of my main criteria for an overseas player. I wanted somebody who's been there, done it and knows how to win.

“Mooney and Blackwell were in the top five run-scorers in the Big Bash, and that competition's what we're trying to replicate over here. It's exciting for us to have them.”

Pyrah has also been impressed with Ismail’s competitive nature.

Yorkshire put forward three first choice overseas players to the ECB and had to name second choices for each. “We’ve got what we wanted. We’re really happy,” added Pyrah.

The competition starts in late July.