There was a chance that Thamsyn Newton and/or Sara McGlashan would explode in the WBBL03 final for their respective teams and round off a solid #KiwiWBBL campaign with some kiwi dominance. That was unlikely though and likeliest outcome is exactly what played out as Newton chimed in with a few runs for Perth Scorchers and McGlashan wasn't required to bat for Sydney Sixers as they strolled to victory and sealed back to back titles.

A splash of funk did come via Newton's promotion up to #5 after spending much of WBBL03 pegged down the order and this may have been because Perth were struggling at 29/3 in the 9th over. Newton came in and hit 12 off 17 and didn't really snap up her opportunity for glory, although it's not surprising given the change in role in such an important game. This was followed by Newton not getting a bowl and while Newton could have steamed through Sydney's line up, Newton hasn't featured consistently with the ball throughout WBBL03; despite taking wickets when she does bowl.

McGlashan literally didn't do a whole lot as she didn't take a catch and that's all good as she's got another WBBL title to her name. We've got a fantastic job-doer in McGlashan and most importantly, McGlashan is a fantastic job-doer in a champion team which is as noteworthy as the #KiwiWBBL stars like Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu.

The main thought that has lingered in my teeny-weeny brain since the final revolves around Newton and the path she has opened for our other talented young White Ferns. Obviously Bates etc have blazed a path for kiwi cricketers, but their of the genuine world-class ilk and are established cricketers who lead their WBBL teams. Newton is the first notable kiwi youngster to get a WBBL contract - as a late injury replacement - and she performed admirably in a team that went all the way to the final.

Prior to WBBL03, I was less concerned with Newton's performances and more interested in how much she played for Perth. Newton batted #5 in the final and settled into this Perth team, which not only raises the question of where Newton fits into WBBL04, it also shows that Aotearoa's young cricketers are capable of making the step across the ditch to contribute to WBBL teams.

Depending on how they perform this year, Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Maddi Green and Leigh Kasperek may demand a looksie from WBBL franchises and could join Newton in the young #KiwiWBBL group. Whether it's WBBL or Super League in England, Aotearoa's involvement is usually focused on the big name players but in the coming years we are going to see a new wave snap up opportunities with these T20 leagues around the world.

As for those world-class kiwis, they were all very solid. Devine and Lea Tahuhu finished in the top-10 wicket-takers list, while Devine, Bates and Satterthwaite all finished in the top-10 run-scorers. I could sit here and highlight their impressive stats and what not, yet I can't fight the feeling that they didn't lead their teams to the finals and that's exactly their roles as captains and marquee recruits.

While their stats are impressive, they could have been better and had they been better, they would have dragged Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades into the final/semi-final. This is only a wee bit downbuzz because of how high these players have set their own bar of performance previously and while they were their team's best performers, they didn't dominate to the extent that we know they can. As rough as it sounds; that's a large factor in why their teams were couldn't crack the final.

A big thank you to these girls and everyone at @strikersbbl for an enjoyable season and making me feel so welcome. All the best to the Scorchers and the Sixers in the WBBL final today and cmon the boys this afternoon 💪🏻🏆 #bluefamily

523 Likes, 3 Comments - @suziebates on Instagram: "A big thank you to these girls and everyone at @strikersbbl for an enjoyable season and making me..."

The low key storyline coming out of WBBL03 is the future of Rachel Priest, who got to a semi-final with Sydney Thunder but was a non-factor for much of WBBL03 in scoring 50+ just once in 14inns. Then we need to absorb the White Ferns context of Priest being a notable omission from the squad that toured United Arab Emirates late last year and I begin to ponder whether Priest has done enough since then to demand a return.

In UAE vs Pakistan, Devine replaced Priest at the top of the batting line up alongside Bates and Devine was exceptional - Pakistan are a fairly weak team - so it's not like the White Ferns need Priest. Katey Martin stepped in as wicket-keeper and was already in the 1st XI as a batswoman, meaning that shifting Devine to open allows for another all-rounder like Newton to be injected down the order.

Martin actually made a sneaky appearance for Melbourne Stars in late January, which slipped under my radar. She scored 2* and 15, so I didn't miss much but she did get a brief call up which is cool; after Martin hit consecutive scores of 51 (T20), 82, 103* and 57 (all OD) for Otago.

The headline #KiwiWBBL acts were solid this summer, without being dominant and the emergence of Newton means that we may be looking at a new wave of #KiwiWBBL funk building on the horizon. A lot depends on what the White Ferns do this year and if they rack up consistent, impressive performances, we may see that young wave alongside the headliners next summer.

Hit an ad to support the Niche Cache.

Peace and love 27.