WBBL05: Brisbane Heat’s Beth Mooney says first stand-alone season ’a watershed moment’
Australia and Brisbane Heat star Beth Mooney believes a first ever stand-alone WBBL season, starting next week, provides the clean air needed to showcase the depth of quality in the women’s game.
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Beth Mooney could be forgiven for cricketer’s fatigue after playing a key role in Australia’s record breaking series win.
But the Brisbane Heat skipper isn’t taking her foot off the pedal.
Fresh from smacking an unbeaten T20 ton against Sri Lanka, Mooney says she’s ready to rip into a historic stand-alone WBBL season and defend the Heat’s title against her hungry national teammates and rising stars of the women’s game.
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“Exciting is the word for it — I think once you’ve won one (a title), you start thinking about how you can stay on top,” Mooney told The Courier-Mail.
“Especially with T20 cricket because it’s a fickle game, so any one per cent you’ve got to get ahead and be better than the day before or last season is a great opportunity.
“I haven’t spent a lot of time in Brisbane over the past few months and I’ve only spent two weeks with the Queensland and Brisbane girls so I’m really looking forward to getting back among that group to spend a bit of time with them and help them grow to put on some performances.”
Mooney is already talking down the prospect of back-to-back crowns for the Heat but the 25-year-old admits playing prime-time cricket is a “dream” for women’s cricket.
“It’s a watershed moment for us — we’ve got an opportunity to play where there’s nothing else on, we’ve got some clear air and people will be wanting to watch cricket,” Mooney said.
“Even if the TV's on in the background or you go to the second innings of a game, it’s an important time to showcase our sport.
“So that’s exciting and honestly we’re not really focusing on going back-to-back too much — it’s just about wanting to be better every day and if we’re showing up and continuing to improve, that should translate into some wins.”
First, they’ll have to get past perennial favourites Sydney Sixers in their opening clash on Saturday — and the glamour club are out for revenge.
“There’s obviously that really competitive edge and a bit of fire in the belly going up against them (Heat) after losing the final last year,” Sixers all-rounder Ashleigh Gardiner said.
“But we know how good a team we have and we haven’t really changed our roster from last year too much so we can still take confidence going into our first few games.
“We’re probably still the most hated team in the competition but that’s fine and we all thrive off that.”
Mooney topscored in last season’s grand final win over the Sixers and says while she’s eager to convert her international form into domestic runs, her Aussie teammates should be more concerned by the likes of Heat youngsters Charli Knott and Georgia Prestwidge.
“I’m happy (with my form) but it’s also a bit easier playing people you know because you’ll know what their plans are against you,” Mooney said
But I’m excited about this Heat squad, we’ve got a good balance of experience and young players to keep us old ones on our toes.”
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