WBBL07: Highlights and results as Women’s Big Bash League heads to Adelaide
It may have been an ideal strip for flat-track bullies at the weekend, but a WBBL record 399 runs from 40 overs is further evidence of the direction the game is heading.
Women's Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Women’s Big Bash League is in full swing and there’s been no shortage of talking points as teams jostle to stay in the finals race.
From Harmanpreet Kaur’s dominance to Beth Mooney’s big hundred and a host of rising stars shining bright, it has been another huge week of competition.
We take a look back at the biggest talking points and the highlights from another week in WBBL07.
Best knock:
This week’s best knock goes to two teams, not one individual player (although, Perth Scorchers’ Beth Mooney deserves a shout-out for her unbeaten 63-ball 101 last Wednesday).
On Saturday at Adelaide’s batters’ paradise that is Karen Rolton Oval, the Melbourne Renegeades and Brisbane Heat combined to pile on a combined 399 runs from their 40 overs, setting a new WBBL record.
The ‘Gades made 4-207, which was their highest-ever WBBL total and the second-highest in tournament history (behind the Sydney Sixers’ 4-242 set in 2017). It’s the first time the side has hit a score over 200.
In reply, the Heat bashed out 192 (and all out on final ball), falling a mere 15 runs short.
Best ball:
Cricket is full of its David-versus-Goliath battles. But watching teenager spinner Ella Hayward come up against Australian – and Melbourne Stars – captain Meg Lanning on the famed Adelaide Oval pitch, is up there.
In the Melbourne derby on Sunday, opener Lanning looked to be deft touch, with 17 (18), when Hayward was handed the ball for her first over of the day.
Lanning had put in a Player of the Match performance thanks to her 82 (45) against the Strikers the day before, and that form looked to be continuing.
Hayward bowled. Lanning stepped back to open up the off-side. But the ball skidded on and toppled Lanning’s leg stump.
When your first ball of the day gets the wicket of the Australian captain! #GETONREDpic.twitter.com/HQUbDjtWAO
— Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) November 7, 2021
Reflecting on it a day later, Hayward said she had managed to re-watch the wicket “once or twice”.
“It’s kind of the dream, it’s good to come on, to get the chance to bowl to her and then to actually get her out was really rewarding,” she said.
“I had my plans, I thought just bowl at the stumps and do what you do best and it just paid off.
“We knew how dangerous she was going into that game and she did look in good touch, too, it was good to get that breakthrough, it was really nice.”
Best off-field juggle:
That honour goes to the competition’s Year 12 students who are in the final stages of completing their exams.
Among them is ‘Gades’ Hayward, who has her final exam – food tech – on Thursday morning and is expected then to take to the field against the Stars in the afternoon.
While on the road in the Covid-affected season, the 18-year-old has completed two maths exams, as well as her English and health exams. It’s all required a lot of good time management to fit her all-important study around games and trainings.
But there was no complaining from the youngster.
“It’s good to have them both for balance, to not think about one, when I’m doing the other,” she said.
Best moment of healthy competition:
On Monday, members of the six teams stationed in Adelaide (that’s everyone except for Perth and Hobart Hurricanes), gathered on the banks of the River Torrens to help launch the first league-wide First Nations Round which will be held next weekend.
In recognition of the traditional culture, a Kaurna elder joined them and taught the cricketers a basketweaving technique, with the aim of making a key ring they could each take away with them.
But as Adelaide Strikers legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington pointed out afterwards – it became quite competitive as to whose key ring was best.
“We are so competitive as cricketers and even with something like that, we are competitive and you could see some girls who were better than others and talking about it and you want to perform,” she said.
“It was a really exciting moment learning to thread and I just think the girls are embracing the culture and it’s pretty cool.
“It was a really cool experience.”
Best overseas involvement:
The Indian stars who have signed on to WBBL teams in 2021, have shone on and off the field.
From the Heat’s Poonam Yadav skittling wickets with her slow spin, to ‘Gades Jemimah Rodrigues blistering as opener, its been entertaining to watch.
Sydney Sixers all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner said her side’s two Indian players – teenage batting sensation Shafali Verma and bowler Radha Yadav – have added a new, fun element to the team that is looking to playing finals for the first time in three seasons.
“Our two Indian girls have been fantastic for our environment, they’ve brought a lot of fun as well and plenty of youth, they’re only 17 and 21, I’m just really excited to see where they can get,” Gardner said.
What’s making the Renegades tick along so nicely?
Hayward had a simple response this week when asked why the ‘Gades – who finished second-last in 2020 – were travelling as well as they were and clearly setting the pace at the top of the league table.
“I think we’re really gelling as a group, we have such a great bond together we all get along really well, Helmo (coach Simon Helmet) has done a great job and he’s really positive which is great for our group as well, we’re just there to compete really … we’re there for each other,” she said.
Aussie all-rounder Ash Gardner described the Renegades form like this: “I love their tactic, they’re obviously playing some pretty fearless cricket … they’re playing a really exciting brand of cricket and they look like they’re having fun as well, which is the main thing in these competitions,” she said.
More Coverage
Originally published as WBBL07: Highlights and results as Women’s Big Bash League heads to Adelaide
Sweet 16-0: England humiliated in historic Aussie Ashes whitewash
Spinners Alana King and Ash Gardner have terrorised England, sealing the first women’s Ashes whitewash with more than a day to spare in the MCG Test.
Sutherland punishes sloppy Poms with MCG masterclass
Annabel Sutherland made history as the first woman to score a Test century at the MCG, putting Australia within reach of a historic Ashes whitewash on a day where England produced a fielding horror show.