The Sydney Thunder might have finished second in the Women’s Big Bash League, but they will have to play their semi-final on enemy territory at the new Optus Stadium against the Perth Scorchers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:10pm (AEDT).
In a scheduling quirk, both of the Sydney teams have been robbed of their right to host a semi-final. Because the women’s matches are played at the same grounds as the men in doubleheaders, the Thunder have to host Perth in the west.
It’s not ideal, but the Thunder have won ten of their 14 matches across the season, only missing out on the top spot due to an inferior net run rate to crosstown rivals, the Sixers.
Rachael Haynes is the only Thunder player in the competition top ten for total runs scored, with Australia’s Ashes captain notching 425 in total. Alex Blackwell might hold the key to the final though. She has been inconsistent, but has two half-centuries to her name.
Perth’s batting has been led by the in-form duo of Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton, who sit second and fourth respectively for total runs.
If the pair continue that sort of form and are backed up by Englishwoman Katherine Brunt with the ball, the Scorchers are going to be hard to stop.
Brunt is the leading wicket-taker in the competition, with 22, although the duo of Rene Farrell and Samantha Bates mean the Thunder are well and truly in it.
The season’s meetings between the sides were split one apiece, but the Thunder’s win came down to the wire, while their loss was an eight-wicket thumping.
Prediction
The Thunder finished ahead of the Scorchers, but they haven’t looked comfortable against the women from the west this season. With the crowd likely to build, the Scorchers should advance to the final.
Perth to win a close one.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first WBBL semi-final from 3:10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Maggie
Guest
Scorchers won in a canter. Some nice cricket along the way, including that great piece of outfield fielding combined with an excellent gather by the wicketkeeper to run out Wilson. Thanks for the coverage Scott.
Haydos
Guest
Hasn't it been this way the past 2 WBBL's? The finals are where the BBL finals are.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll do it here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017-18 Women's Big Bash League as the Perth Scorchers got the job done over the Sydney Thunder to be the first team through to the final. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back from 7:40pm (AEDT) for the first men's semi-final as the Perth Scorchers take on the Hobart Hurricanes. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
PERTH SCORCHERS WIN BY 27 RUNS So then, that's that. The Scorchers are through to the first team through to the WBBL final. Just a couple of singles to end the match, but this has been over for a long time. The Thunder's run chase just never got going. Rachel Priest made a strong start, but there was nothing between that and Fran Wilson's late resistance when the game was already gone. Perth Scorchers: 2/148 (20) Sydney Thunder: 8/121 (20)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bates first ball is ran off the face through point for a single.
Over: 19.4 Sydney Thunder: 8/119 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Samantha Bates in at 10. Three balls to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
WICKET! Fran Wilson, Run Out Natalie Sciver/Emily Smith 46 (28) Wilson is going to have to go. She pulled a good length ball, getting a thick top edge which landed in front of Sciver who was charging back for a second. They looked for two, but Wilson won't make it home.
Over: 19.3 Sydney Thunder: 8/118 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR Fran Wilson has been so solid today. Backs away from a full one this time and middles it through extra cover for another.
Over: 19.2 Sydney Thunder: 7/117 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR Cleary to bowl the final over. Wilson across the stumps and gets inside the line on a good length, pulling behind square leg for a boundary. She has 41 from 26.
Over: 19.1 Sydney Thunder: 7/113 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just a single to end the over and Brunt ends with 1 for 24 from her 4.
Over: 19 Sydney Thunder: 7/109 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gibson misses the first ball of her innings outside off stump, then gloves a ball to fine leg for a single to get off he mark.
Over: 18.4 Sydney Thunder: 7/108 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Maisy Gibson in at 9. 42 from 10 needed.
Scott Pryde
Expert
WICKET! Rene Farrell Caught Emily Smith, Bowled Katherine Brunt 3 (5) Katherine Brunt looks to walk into the leg side and hit over point now, but the cut shot comes off the edge and goes through to Smith who completes the catch.
Over: 18.2 Sydney Thunder: 7/107 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wilson with a switch hit to third man now. Would have been a screamer of a catch from Smith behind the stumps, but they grab a single.
Over: 18.1 Sydney Thunder: 6/107 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR Well, Wilson is doing a good job here. Full ball and it's swept into the gap for a boundary. The last ball is a single to long off as Wilson backs away. King ends with 3 for 17 and the Thunder need 43 from 2 overs.
Over: 18 Sydney Thunder: 6/106 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wilson pushes a ball to cover, then grabs a single to long on. The next is hooked from outside off stump, but won't beat short fine leg.
Over: 17.4 Sydney Thunder: 6/101 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
FOUR King to bowl her final over, but a great sweep shot through the leg side from Wilson to start the over. That'll find the fence.
Over: 17.1 Sydney Thunder: 6/99 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just two singles to end the over.
Over: 17 Sydney Thunder: 6/95 Required score: 149
Scott Pryde
Expert
Shorter from Graham and Wilson grabs a single through mid wicket with a swing across the line.
Over: 16.3 Sydney Thunder: 6/93 Required score: 149