Tasmanian Tigers opener Lizelle Lee in doubt for clashes against South Australia

A Tasmanian Tigers star opener is in doubt to face South Australia this week despite being named in the squad.

Tasmanian openers Elyse Villani and Lizelle Lee may not partner up in South Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Tasmanian Tigers opener Lizelle Lee may not suit up for the final two WNCL games prior to the WBBL break with the South African star suffering a back injury in the season opener.

Lee, who has formed one of the competition’s most lethal opening partnerships with captain Elyse Villani, was named in the 13-player squad to face South Australia but her availability is still up in the air.

Speaking on Thursday, Tigers coach Jude Coleman said they wouldn’t rush Lee back given a heavy upcoming T20 schedule following both Friday and Sunday’s clashes against the Scorpions.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Lizelle Lee of Tasmania bats during the WNCL match between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA Ground, on September 24, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“She could still (miss),” Coleman said.

“We’ve got a long season ahead. The next seven or eight weeks are huge for us (with the T20 Spring Challenge) leading into WBBL. So, we’ll take every precaution there and we won’t rush her back.”

Lee wasn’t the only casualty of the Tigers winning road trip to Western Australia last week with Tabatha Saville suffering a concussion in the first of their two wins at the WACA.

“Tabatha is in the protocols with Cricket Australia concussion rules and that is 12 days,” Coleman said.

“She has had a history of concussions so we can’t rush her back. The 12th day falls on our second game on Sunday, but we won’t rush it with her history and we’ll just look towards the spring challenge for ‘Tabs’.”

Gunning for a fourth straight title this season, the Tigers standards continue to be that of a high caliber and despite winning both games to start the season, Coleman will be looking for an improved showing in South Australia.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Jude Coleman, head coach of Tasmania talks with Elyse Villani before start of play during the WNCL match between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA Ground, on September 24, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“Any time you win two games on the road is a great feat, but we certainly weren’t at our best,” she said.

“But what we showed is that we can win from anywhere and anybody in our team can step up when it matters, so that’s really something to be excited about from the depth of our squad and the future that we are going towards.

“I’d really like us (though) to put a little bit more of a complete game on the board against South Australia.”

Tasmanian Tigers squad v South Australia: Nicola Carey, Julia Cavanough, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Emma Manix-Geeves, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Elyse Villani (c), Callie Wilson