New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and Sri Lankan Chamari Atapattu loom as the overseas raiders in WBBL semi

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 Women’s Big Bash League semi-final between the Heat and Renegades at Allan Border Field.

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 Women’s Big Bash League semi-final between the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades at Allan Border Field.

Kerr will be the Heat’s leg-spinning all-rounder and Atapattu a Renegades batting ace in the blockbuster.

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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 then play the grand final on Sunday, again at Border Field.

Brisbane Heat player Amelia Kerr yesterday at training. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

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 by scoring a Test 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, according to the New Zealand slow bowler.

“She is a very good cricketer who has done well in the past, including getting a hundred against Australia recently,’’ Kerr said.

Chamari Atapattu hits out. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“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 from the beautiful North Island city of Wellington.

Heat player Amelia Kerr. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

She has strolled onward through a cricketing education on and off the field and has noticed tangible improvement in her game.

“I have loved my time here,’’ said Kerr, who twice put together match winning innings.

“The training facilities are top class and the coaches we have all provide really good feedback.

“They want you to become better cricketers.’’

Amelia Kerr celebrates a wicket during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Brisbane Heat. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

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.’’