WBBL Round 1: Ellyse Perry returns with bang; players take stand against racism
Ellyse Perry made a stunning return to cricket in the opening round of the WBBL on a rain affected day in which players nonetheless were able to make a powerful statement over inclusion and solidarity.
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Ellyse Perry has returned and is ready to fight for another WBBL title.
The Sydney Sixers’ captain — who hasn’t played a game since tearing her hamstring during the women’s T20 World Cup in March — led her side to a nine-wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers.
Perry’s fitness was tested in cold and wet conditions at North Sydney Oval but she impressed with bat and ball.
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After three WBBL clashes were abandoned, the wet weather held off long enough for the Sixers and Strikers to play nine overs each.
Sixers bowlers Marizanne Kapp (3/14), Stella Campbell (1/17) and Lisa Griffith (2/10) contained Adelaide to just 7/68 from its nine overs.
But as the Magenta chased, heavy rain forced officials to cut three overs and reduce their target to 46.
Perry’s side was too clinical in the end – even in unpredictable conditions – and finished up with its first win of WBBL06.
THE MOMENT
Fast bowler Marizanne Kapp and Jodie Hicks instantly set the pace for the Sixers.
The South Africa international took the big wicket of Tahlia McGrath in the first over, bowling Adelaide’s star batter for a duck. Hicks, who is also a key member of the GWS Giants’ AFLW side, took a spectacular catch at backward point. The Strikers were truly rattled.
THE KNOCK
Finally, cricket fans got to see the Perry and Alyssa Healy partnership back in action.
The classy duo excelled, even in the ever-changing conditions. Player-of-the- match Healy hit three fours and one six in her innings of 27 from 16. Perry sealed the deal in the final over with a classy boundary. The skipper notched two fours and finished unbeaten on 14.
Adelaide’s Bridget Patterson’s efforts should also be commended, whacking two fours and two sixes when her side was in trouble. She managed 28 off 14 and built up a solid partnership with Katie Mack.
THE SPELL
Lisa Griffith nabbed two wickets in her first over as a Sydney Sixer.
The new recruit wasted no time in showing coach Ben Sawyer what she can do, combining with Healy to dismiss Madeline Penna in the fifth over. Two balls later, Griffith dismissed Amanda-Jade Wellington with a yorker. Magenta might just be her colour.
THE QUOTE
The clash reminded Healy of Australia’s wet and dramatic T20 World Cup semi final.
“It was a strange old day, it seemed a little bit familiar to earlier in the year at the SCG, but full credit to the ground staff, their communication, to get a game in these conditions is outstanding, and for us to come out on top was great.”
WBBL stars commit to take stand against racism
Sydney Thunder players took a knee before their rained-out clash against the Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval on Monday.
Captain Rachael Haynes said that her side intends to take a stance against racism before each of their WBBL06 games.
“For us it’s not just going to be a one off thing, we’ll do it before our games, we’ve committed to that regardless of whether the match starts,” Haynes said.
“It was a decision from the group, it wasn’t made by one or two people.”
Our entire squad made a unanimous decision to take a knee against all forms of racism.
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) October 25, 2020
Discrimination, of any kind, has no place in cricket. #ThunderNation pic.twitter.com/zVKRlRuGh4
“We had a chat about it as a group and just felt that it was a good show of unity and that we supported those players and obviously we are totally against racism.”
The Melbourne Stars side also joined in for the moment of silence and English internationals Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver took a knee on the pitch.
After an initial 45 minute rain delay, persistent drizzle forced officials to abandon play after the fourth over.
Haynes admitted that two washouts in two days was frustrating and that the Stars were looking threatening on Monday morning.
“It is a little bit frustrating and we can’t do much about the weather. Although we’d like to have well and truly kicked off our campaign, I’m sure that’ll happen in due course,” Haynes said.
“(The Stars) bowled really well, it’s pretty tricky conditions, both teams at the bat flip wanted to field in these conditions, we were probably on the back foot a little bit.”
Bowlers Katherine Brunt, Nat Sciver and Holly Ferling mustered up a strong start for the Stars who dismissed Thunder‘s opening batters in just three overs.
Sciver took the wicket of Tammy Beaumont (3 from 5) thanks to a solid catch from Elyse Villani.
After a flying start, the game has been abandoned due to rain ðŸ˜
— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) October 26, 2020
Our next match is on Saturday, where we take on the @SixersWBBL 👊#TeamGreen pic.twitter.com/y9XNajiZQ5
Thunder‘s Rachel Trenaman (4 from 8) then cracked under Ferling’s bowling, sending the ball straight into the hands of Sciver.
The match was officially abandoned after the fourth over, with Thunder sitting on 2-13.
Morning rain in Hurstville also saw the abandonment of the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades Round 2 clash.
The Heat, having beaten Perth Scorchers by seven wickets on Sunday, headed into Monday’s game with an unchanged lineup, but with the persistent rain, were unable to take the field.
For the Renegades, it was their second abandoned game of the season, after their Sunday clash with the Melbourne Stars was cancelled 17 overs into the first innings.
The Scorchers and Hurricanes’ afternoon match in Hurstville was also abandoned.
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Originally published as WBBL Round 1: Ellyse Perry returns with bang; players take stand against racism