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.
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