Strikers star Tahlia McGrath hoping to pick Kerr’s wrong’un in muggy conditions in Mackay
The vision has been watched, the plans have been drawn up and there will be special trainings under lights: the Strikers are leaving nothing to chance in their double-header against the Heat.
Big Bash
Don't miss out on the headlines from Big Bash. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Strikers sink Hurricanes in thrilling three-run win
- Adelaide Strikers just sit back and enjoy the Tahlia McGrath show
- How to make the most of your Advertiser digital subscription
Wrong’uns, power hitters and Saturday night lights: the Adelaide Strikers are preparing for Brisbane Heat to throw everything at them in their big bash double-header in Mackay this weekend.
The Strikers might be the competition’s current ladder-leader with three wins from four games, but all-rounder Tahlia McGrath knows it will take an across-the-board effort to beat the reigning champions, whose side includes Australian batter Beth Mooney and Kiwi teenage sensation Amelia Kerr.
Watch every match of the WBBL/05 LIVE and on-demand with KAYO SPORTS. Gey your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
Kerr’s been raising serious eyebrows for the Heat with her batter-beating wrong’un (her best bowling figures so far are 3/8) and impressive run-scoring (her 29 runs from 19 balls won Heat’s Sunday game against Hobart Hurricanes).
McGrath said she hoped she’d pick Kerr’s lethal wrong’un should she face it.
“We’ve looked at the footage and broken it down and picked a few things we’re going to be watching for, but playing in the middle’s another thing,” she said. “I’m going to hope yes to pick her wrong’un, but we’ll wait a see.
“It helps that we have two Kiwis (Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine) in our side who know her quite well, so they’ve shared their knowledge and we have our plans and hopefully we can keep her quiet.”
Then there's the issue of playing under lights: something the Strikers don’t get much opportunity to do.
But to ensure they’re properly prepared the unchanged squad will leave for Mackay on Thursday to squeeze in two special training sessions.
“It’s certainly different playing under lights … we get in tomorrow and we’ve got training Thursday night and training Friday night so that will help us adapt to the conditions.
“Fielding’s probably the hardest thing to change under lights, so it will be awesome to get up there and get some training under the belt before the two games.”
McGrath said the team was taking a lot of confidence out of their two wins in Brisbane against Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers last weekend.
“This year is the strongest line-up we’ve had in Strikers history,” she said.
“We bat to 11 and I think everyone understands their role a bit more and there’s more confidence to go out there and play to our strengths.
“There’s a really good feeling among the group as well … we’re just enjoying each other’s company and enjoying our cricket.”
McGrath has come into some early big bash form, after equalling her career-best WBBL innings with her powerful 46-ball unbeaten 65 against Scorchers on Sunday.
That player-of-the-match innings included eight boundaries and two sixes and with hot, muggy conditions expected in Queensland’s north, she joked that she’d rather continuing hitting to the rope than having to run.
“That would be nice,” she said with a laugh. “Boundaries, no running … I’m a bit of a lazy cricketer.”
Strikers v Heat, Saturday November 2, 6.45pm, Harrup Park, Mackay
Strikers v Heat, Sunday, November 3, 3.30pm, Harrup Park, Mackay