White Ferns x WBBL02: Update #3
'Don't worry team, I'll get all the runs'
The Women's Big Bash League has kicked into overdrive, with games on a daily basis so keep in mind that there are two games going down today (Thursday, 29th) with Amy Satterthwaite in action for Hobart against Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Renegades duo of Lea Tahuhu and Rachel Priest taking on Suzie Bates' Perth Scorchers. I had to whip something up today, looking back on the post-Christmas action because we had an epic performance from White Ferns all-rounder Sophie Devine that demands all sorts of attention.
Devine's Adelaide Strikers took on Satterthwaite's Hobart on Boxing Day and in terms of kiwi contributions, the first innings delivered nada. Satterthwaite came in at No.5 and was left not-out on 6 as Hobart reached 143/3 off their 20 overs, with Devine only used for two overs that went for 7.50rpo.
The second innings though saw Devine blaze 103 off just 48 deliveries, including 10 fours and 8 sixes at a strike-rate of 214.58. Devine accounted for over half of Adelaide's 146 runs, coming in at No.4 with Adelaide 5/2 in the 3rd over and from that point on, Devine went bonkers with some brutal kiwi-on-kiwi crime as she smacked Satterthwaite for 16 runs off her only over.
When we last checked in with the White Ferns x WBBL, Devine was sitting on top of the run-scorers rankings. After hitting the first century of WBBL02, Devine has slipped to 2nd in run-scoring, however this follows the second fixture between Adelaide and Hobart this week being rained off. Devine is 2nd to Australian international Meg Lanning with Devine hitting 230 runs vs Lanning's 269, although Devine has only played four games vs Lanning's six and Devine's 115avg/157.53sr combo is far superior than Lanning's 67.25avg/123.96sr.
With the second game rained off, Satterthwaite didn't have a chance to avenge herself. Satterthwaite is still the 2nd-best kiwi run-scorer with 128 runs @ 64avg/107.56 with the likes of Rachel Priest, Sara McGlashan and Suzie Bates all averaging under 25.
Priest was in action alongside Lea Tahuhu for Melbourne Renegades in their back-to-back games, which resulted in two losses for the Renegades. In both games, the Renegades batted first and Priest could only manage scores of 13 and 21 as the Renegades weren't bowled out in either game, yet they only scored 110/4 and 93/6.
Tahuhu had a much better time in the first game, taking 1/14 @3.50rpo but she couldn't back that up with anything of note as she went for 8.50rpo without a wicket in the second game.
Morna Nielsen's fortunes followed, or led that of her team's as her Melbourne Stars beat Brisbane Heat and then suffered defeat. In their win, Nielsen took 3/19 @4.75rpo which helped the Stars defend their total of 148 before Nielsen couldn't manage a wicket, conceding a handy 6rpo from her 3 overs. The Stars were unable to chase 130 to win the second game, reaching 124/6 off 20 overs with Nielsen left in the shed.
Sara McGlashan was also in action, reppin' the Sixers in the Sydney derby. McGlashan hit 8, as the Sixers reached 164/3 off their 20 overs to which the Thunder could only reply with 131/7.
Apart from Devine's century, our White Ferns haven't quite been as influential as the start of WBBL02 suggested. We do have Devine doing her thing though and with Tahuhu/Priest vs Bates today, Devine vs Bates tomorrow and Nielsen vs Tahuhu/Priest on Sunday, there will hopefully be some more dominant performances to enjoy.