Women’s Premier League ratings: Which Aussies starred, flopped in India?
Australia’s champion cricketers have played key roles in the historic Women’s Premier League, but who were the bargain buys and who struggled? Check out our WPL ratings.
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Australia captain Meg Lanning’s record of international perfection goes on the line on Sunday night when she leads the Delhi Capitals in the final of the Women’s Premier League against the Mumbai Indians.
Lanning’s sublime recent captaincy record for Australia includes T20 World Cup trophy in South Africa last month, last year’s ODI World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medal, plus an Ashes domination.
But the inaugural WPL poses a new challenge and, while the Australian players have delivered throughout the tournament, Lanning prioritises teams success above all else.
Lanning’s Capitals are left flying the flag solo for Australia after the Indians dominated the Warriors in Saturday morning’s eliminator as Alyssa Healy (11 runs off 6 balls), Tahlia McGrath (7 off 6) and Grace Harris (14 off 12) all fell cheaply chasing 183 runs to win with their team dismissed for just 110.
While it would’ve been a historic moment to see Aussie teammates Lanning and Healy go head-to-head as rival captains in the WPL final, all eyes instead will now be on the Australian skipper who has made a habit of leading teams to major victories.
Lanning and her Capitals teammates Laura Harris and Jess Jonassen are the only Australians in the final, with the Indians team boasting a few English stars around their local heroes.
Regardless of the final result, Australian players have proven they can thrive in the cut-throat WPL and, while almost $2.5m was paid out to secure their talent at this year’s auction, performances suggest that number could be even higher next year.
During the regular season, Australia had six of the top 10 batters, but only two of the top 10 bowlers.
Here is how we rated our stars value for money for their historic first big-money tournament.
BARGAIN BASEMENT
KIM GARTH (UNSOLD at auction): Wickets 11, average 17.54, economy 7.72
Was brushed at the original auction, but came onto the Gujarat roster as a replacement for the injured Deandra Dottin on a base contract. Garth finished with 11 wickets, making her the fifth highest wicket-taker of the tournament from only 7 matches. Terrific average of 17. Expect the best Australian bowler of the tournament to go for big money next season.
GRACE HARRIS ($136,000): Runs 216, average 72, 50s 2, Strike rate 170.07
Arguably the best value buy of the season. From only five matches out of a possible eight, Harris has smashed over 200 runs and at a thundering strike rate of 170, second only to the big-hitting kiwi Sarah Devine. Harris’ has been instrumental in the Warriors’ run to the finals.
ALYSSA HEALY ($127,000): Runs 242, average 34.42, 50s 2, Strike rate 139.88
Made a mockery of the ridiculously low price she was sold for at auction. Healy is first picked in any T20 team in the world and she proved it in this tournament. Another key factor along with Harris and McGrath in getting the Warriors to the finals. The Warriors’ strategy of building their team around the core of Australia’s T20 side was a stroke of genius.
MEG LANNING ($200,000): Runs 310, average 51.66, 50s 2, strike rate 141.55
Highest run-scorer in the WPL and has steered her team the Delhi Capitals to the inaugural final to be played this weekend. Except Lanning’s salary to boost considerably next season. Maybe teams didn’t see her as a big a force in T20 cricket as she is in ODIs, but the Australian captain has proven she is the most reliable big-game player in cricket.
TAHLIA MCGRATH ($255,000): Runs 295, average 59, 50s 4, Strike rate 159.45
In a sign perhaps of McGrath’s modesty, the all-rounder didn’t price herself in the top category for the WPL auction. But don’t be surprised if she is the highest paid player next year. Absolute superstar and lifted the Warriors into the finals with four half centuries. Also chipped in with two wickets from her six overs bowled for the tournament.
MONEY’S WORTH
ASHLEIGH GARDNER ($555,000): Runs 204, average 29.14, 50s 2, Strike rate 141.66
All eyes were on Gardner after her record sale price at the auction. Gardner didn’t flop by any means and had an extremely serviceable tournament. Two half centuries with the bat and 10 wickets at an average of 25 is a very good output from an allrounder in eight matches. But the Gujarat Giants would have been expecting their big-money import to lead them to the finals, instead they finished bottom of the table.
ELLYSE PERRY ($309,000): Runs 253, average 42.16, 50s 2, Strike rate 123.41
A veteran now at age 32, but still ultra-reliable as the No.4 highest run-scorer of the tournament, with four wickets to boot. The $309,000 price tag is probably about right for Perry. Super consistent but strike rate of 123.41 and occasionally expensive bowling indicates not quite the game-breaker she once was for an RCB team that missed the playoffs.
JESS JONASSEN ($91,000): Wickets 8, average 30.12, Economy 7.77
Very astute pick-up by the Delhi Capitals who topped the table and are favourites to take out the inaugural WPL title. The experienced Australian spinner keeps things extremely tidy and was a bargain pick-up for $91,000.
LEFT WANTING MORE
BETH MOONEY ($364,000): One match
Suffered a terrible injury in the first ever match of the WPL, when she was captaining the Gujarat Giants. Shattering experience for Mooney and a major factor why the star-studded side featuring herself and Ash Gardner finished last. Mooney is expected to be recovered from the calf injury in time for the women’s Ashes.
MEGAN SCHUTT ($73,000): Wickets 4, average 55, economy, 8.46
Disappointing tournament from Schutt, who finished with only four wickets from seven matches. The fast bowler struggled to get a good price at the auction and will need a big international year to get a look in again next year. Australia’s bowlers – with the exception of Kim Garth and Ash Gardner – performed poorly overall.
ANNABEL SUTHERLAND ($127,000): 3 wickets, 4 matches
The young star was also on the Gujarat roster that disappointed and finished last. Sutherland only played four out of the eight matches and didn’t really get a proper opportunity to settle into the tournament. Was expensive, going at nearly 12 an over.
ERIN BURNS ($54,000): Runs 12, one match
The Sydney Sixers star only got the one match for the Royal Challengers Bangalore that finished second last on the ladder.
LAURA HARRIS ($82,000): One match
Has only played the one match and hasn’t batted or bowled, but will get the experience of being part of potentially championship-winning squad at the Delhi Capitals. Still gets to keep every cent of her $82,000. Not bad for carrying the drinks for three weeks.
GEORGIA WAREHAM ($136,000): 1 wicket, two matches
The Australian spinner didn’t play a huge role for the Gujarat Giants who finished last on the ladder.
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