‘There’s no sugar-coating it’: Thunder not giving up on finals despite winless WBBL start

The Thunder only have to look back at last year’s WBBL champions for inspiration as they try to salvage their winless start to the season.

Thunder veteran Sam Bates says her side is taking inspiration from last season’s WBBL champions the Melbourne Renegades who overcame a slow start to win the title, but time is running out for the Sydney side to turn things around.

After finishing third last season, the Thunder remain winless after three games going into Wednesday night’s home clash against the Scorchers who boast one of the most formidable batting units in the competition.

But Bates says the side hasn’t hit the panic button yet having seen the Renegades win seven of their final eight regular season matches to claim the minor premiership on their way to the title.

The Renegades recovered from a slow start to win last year’s WBBL. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“The Renegades lost the first two last year and they ended up holding up the trophy at the end of the year,” she said.

“Cricket is a funny game, especially in a tournament where there are games every second day.

“If we keep our spirits high and do what we do best, we’ll be able to win games of cricket.”

The experienced spinner conceded the 0-3 start wasn’t something anyone at the Thunder saw coming, with a strong batting performance in their first game against Hobart a distant memory.

“There’s no sugar-coating it, we’ve lost the first three games which puts us in a tricky position moving forward,” she said.

“The team is in really good spirits which is the number one thing you want when you do lose three on the trot.

“We’ve done really well with the bat in games and we’ve done really well with the ball in games, but we know that we have to bring it together as a team now.

The Thunder’s batting let them down in the Sydney Smash. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“It is pretty surprising because you look at our list and I would have put us three from three.

“It is disappointing and we definitely know that we need to win at least five or six of the next seven games, and we need to play well at home.”

They now host the 2-2 Scorchers who are coming off two rain-affected matches.

“I think they’re a dangerous team,” Bates said.

“You look at their top order and they’ve got Sophie Devine who’s a destructive player and you’ve got Beth Mooney who’s an amazing player, and then they’ve brought in Katie Mack as well.

“They’re definitely a team that can take away a game, but I think if we do what we do best with bat and ball then we’ll come away with the win.”