WBBL finals: Brisbane Heat star Amelia Kerr relishing matching wits with Sri Lanka star Chamari Atapattu
Amelia Kerr has been a revelation since joining the Brisbane Heat while Chamari Atapattu has impressed in Melbourne Renegades’ finals run. Their showdown could well decide which team reaches the WBBL decider.
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They come from nations 11,000km apart, but New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and Sri Lankan Chamari Atapattu loom as the overseas raiders in Saturday’s WBBL semi-final between the Heat and Renegades.
Kerr will be the Heat’s leg-spinning all-rounder and Atapattu a Renegades batting ace in the blockbuster at Allan Border Field.
As part of the WBBL double-header, the Heat-Renegades showdown will be preceded by the Adelaide-Perth clash in the morning. The respective winners will play the grand final on Sunday, again at Border Field.
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Kerr, 19, has been a revelation with bat and ball since joining the reigning champions this season while Atapattu stamped herself as a world-class batter with a century against Australia last month.
Kerr may or may not be at the bowling crease when Atapattu strides to the middle, but whoever is will be ready for the Sri Lankan ace.
“She is a very good cricketer who has done well in the past, including getting a hundred against Australia recently,’’ Kerr said.
“She is dangerous. Like every other player, we have our plan in place.
“We scout them and work out what is best for each individual player, and so she is one to watch. But hopefully we can hold her back in the semis.’’
Kerr has been all eyes and ears since walking through the arrival hall at Brisbane International Airport for the start of the season.
“I have loved my time here,’’ said Kerr, who has twice produced matchwinning innings.
“The training facilities are top class and the coaches we have all provide really good feedback.
“They want you to become better cricketers.’’
Kerr has also gathered knowledge about conditions and rivals ahead of the T20 World Cup to be staged in Australia next year.
“Being over here, playing in the conditions where the T20 World Cup will be played, is pretty valuable for all of the overseas players,’’ she said.
“You get to know a bit more about the Aussie players you are playing with, but they also get to know more about you. It kind of goes both ways, but it is very good preparation going into a World Cup.’’
Originally published as WBBL finals: Brisbane Heat star Amelia Kerr relishing matching wits with Sri Lanka star Chamari Atapattu