With the opening week of the Women’s Big Bash League season done and dusted, we recap the biggest talking points.
Sixers hit form
The Sydney Sixers would be the first to admit that their last-place finish in WBBL07 – from just four wins for the season – was below par.
Preseason, the Sixers appointed former England skipper Charlotte Edwards as new head coach replacing Ben Sawyer, while former New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates joined the squad following previous stints at the Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers.
Their spinning options have improved with the signing of England international Sophie Ecclestone.
As the opening round concludes, the Sixers find themselves with three wins on the board following victories over the Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Stars.
Skipper Ellyse Perry seems to have continued the form she recently found in England’s ‘The Hundred’ competition, striking 147 runs at an average of 47. Most impressively, her strike rates currently sits at 115.
Scorching start for Perth
Wins against the Thunder, Hurricanes and Stars have seen Perth shoot to top spot on the ladder, with six points and a healthy net run rate.
Kiwi Sophie Devine has had a hit-and-miss start to the season, after blasting her way to an unbeaten 44 from 42 balls in their opening match as the Scorchers easily chased down the 89-run target set by the Thunder, the dominating batter has struggled since with scores of four (from seven) and zero (from one).
Fellow opener Beth Mooney has remained consistent – scores of 19 (from 28), 38 not out (from 36) and 35 (34) – with her innings usually providing the backbone for the run chase.
Thunder fail to rumble, Stars fail to shine
It has been a disappointing start for the Thunder and Stars, both winless and cemented at the bottom of the table. Thankfully, there is plenty of time to come back from dismal starts.
These sides face each other throughout the second round of the competition where a win could kickstart their fight back.
The Thunder will be coming off a match the previous day against the table topping Perth Scorchers, while for the Stars it is their next match in the tournament – with so much to play for.
Moment of the round
Grace Harris, for the past few seasons, has been one of the standout players not only for the Brisbane Heat but the Big Bash.
Against the Melbourne Renegades, Harris partnered with Georgia Redmayne (98 not out from 67) to put on 165 for the opening stand – Harris being dismissed in the penultimate over for 65 from 50.
While headlines were all around Redmayne, as the Heat cruised home comfortable 21-run victors, and rightfully so, the ease with which Harris not only returned to the game put scored at will should send danger signs to the rest of the competition.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch international cricket on KAYO
Shinboner 1971
Roar Rookie
The Renegades and Stars are garbage in both WBBL and BBL and have been for most of their existence, it's time to merge the clubs and bring in a new team from Canberra.
Clear as mud
Guest
good on you. Mary K used to write feature pieces eg her one on Maisy Gibson's comeback was a ripper. it's a small audience on here. but all the best people! (related, I was challenging my daughter to a moneyball XI, i had Lauren Smith in mine - has really worked on her bowling last 2 years, has a lovely action - and she goes and gets 5-for before we can swap teams : ( )
The Peoples Dude
Roar Rookie
Completely agree with everything you said Clear as Mud - obviously this is a couple days old, some big matches/results already and on the horizon. Trying to 'up' the WBBL coverage here so appreciate the input.
Clear as mud
Guest
Thanks for the update. It's been a high standard (bar some ongoing poor catching), great to see some of the young talent like Flintoff really start to fulfil their potential , she has been bowling 122 without really trying the Sixers are looking good on paper but still seem less than the sum of their parts. Erin Burns has been the player of the tournament for mine, she was in redhot form in England last year and a real miss for the WBBL, took out her frustrations on the bowlers in the WNCl. and Pez has lifted her run rate which is great and overdue. still... Bates... looks rusty. has played one good knock, 3 poor. Healy - most miss and hit player in the WBBL. Gardner - cannot buy a run (bowling and fielding keeping her in, but could be tried lower down.) Bolton - the game has gone past her, she is not needed with Burns back in. summary - they have 3 or 4 players looking good but still can't get past 140ish. have not timed a finish when batting first; and have made their chases closer than they reallly needed to be. in the bowling, Perry looks good but is gettable, she is always gettable in this format. Cheatle's initial spell is usually good but the other day late vs the Strikers she seemed to be just running up and putting up wide slow half volleys - and got what they deserve. might be due a rest. Maito Brown is having to do too much, try too many things, and it has affected her pure early pace. Campbell got picked last week, bowled one, and sat it out as the Strikers' tail put on 56 off the last 4. Ecclestone- superb. Gardner - third best actual offie in Australia (Smith, then Barsby). Burns - could get a bowl, hasn't. they have a lot of improving in them I guess. but they have started recent seasons well and since the Courtney Webb Curse have struggled to end a season. the loss last week, despite Burns' superb dig, could be a sign? -- Adelaide and Perth are tight units, Wello getting another 5 yesterday was just magic. Stars have looked better but unlucky. Heat are always hard to beat as the Kirby Short culture lives on. Hobart - a bit of a smokey for mine. nice to see them going with Maisy Gibson and they have Amy Smith ready to come in when the wickets get a bit drier. They look like they are having fun. Still missing a pure quick but Hayley Jensen is doing well enough when there is something in the wicket. Haven't really had Lee or Villani go off much, and when the do, will score big. Prediction for the semis: Scorchers Strikers Sixers Hurricanes but any of Heat or Renegades could pinch 4th, some real important games coming up.