2022 Kiwi-WBBL: Setting The Table
Women's Big Bash League swings into the final weekend ahead of finals and kiwis continue to impress with the best teams. Suzie Bates (Sixers), the Kerr sisters (Heat), Hayley Jensen (Hurricanes), Sophie Devine and Maddy Green (Scorchers) are currently in the top-four teams, although Scorchers are tied with Strikers on 13 points in a battle to claim fourth.
Lea Tahuhu's Sydney Thunder are down the bottom of the ladder with a 1-8 record. Tahuhu hasn't bowled for over a week so there is nothing to update here and she still has 4w @ 38.5avg/7rpo. This is Tahuhu's sixth WBBL campaign and it is her third in a row with less than 10w, after two consecutive tournaments witn 10+ wickets (2017-19).
The battle between Perth and Adelaide for fourth revolves around Devine. Devine has three consecutive scores below 10 and Scorchers (6-5) now face both Melbourne teams (Stars and Renegades) who are chillin’ with Thunder down the bottom of the ladder. This phase is enticing as Devine could find a batting groove when it matters most and/or lead Scorchers with mana while playing a role with the ball.
Green enters this weekend with back to back scores of 2 runs, after three consecutive knocks of 30+ runs. Green is currently second for Scorchers runs and her mahi has helped absorb Devine's lack of runs, along with internationals Beth Mooney and Marizanne Kapp. Mooney is first for runs in WBBL08 and she is the only batter with 400+ runs, while Australian leggy Alana King's 15w @ 15.33ag/5.75rpo puts her among the best bowlers. Devine doesn't need to find her best form for Scorchers to win and make the finals, although it will obviously help.
Sophie Devine: 38th - 131 runs @ 13.1avg/92.9sr | 29th - 8w @ 29.37avg/6.81rpo
Maddy Green: 22nd - 208 runs @ 26avg/106.66sr
Jensen took 2w in Hobart's last game, a win over Melbourne Stars. Hobart (7-4) have won four of their last five games and climbed above Perth, although Jensen has taken wickets in just two of these games and in three of her last 10 games. Hurricanes play against Strikers on Friday night and then Sixers on Sunday - two teams hunting finals cricket.
Hayley Jensen: 37th - 5w @ 34.6avg/6.44rpo
Jess Kerr has returned to Brisbane Heat (8-5), joining Amelia and they have one game remaining against Stars. Jess has taken 2w in three games since returning to replace Pooja Vastrakar and Heat conveniently upgraded their seam bowling unit ahead of finals...
Jess Kerr: 22ov, 6w @ 21avg/5.72rpo
Pooja Vastrakar: 19ov, 2w @ 77.5avg/8.15rpo
Jess has taken wickets in five of her six games and Amelia has taken wickets in 11 of her 13 games. Amelia has taken 3w and 1w with scores of 32 runs @ 114.28sr and 25* @ 125sr in her last two games. Ahead of the Friday night games, Amelia is the only bowler who has churned out 50+ overs.
Amelia Kerr: 17th - 233 runs @ 25.88avg/115.92sr | 5th - 18w @ 19.11avg/6.81rpo
Jess Kerr: 35th - 6w @ 21avg/5.72rpo
Bates is cruising along with Sixers (9-2) who have games against Thunder and Hurricanes coming up. Bates scored 41 runs @ 132.25sr against the Kerr sisters and this Sixers performance captures their vibe nicely as Bates played a key role, while Erin Burns (51* @ 159.37sr) and Sophie Ecclestone (47* @ 188sr) sealed the win. Prior to that game, Sixers defeated Scorchers thanks to Alyssa Healy's 107* @ 167.18sr with support from Ellyse Perry's 48 runs @ 120sr.
Suzie Bates: 7th - 275 runs @ 30.55vg/108.26sr, 2 x 50
Sixers have an exceptional team and Bates fits snug amongst the best batting unit of WBBL08. Bates has had a strong tournament and yet she is the only Sixers batter who has scored 100+ runs with a strike-rate below 110. That's not because Bates is struggling, Sixers just have ample batting power.
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