Last week I asked you to nail your colours to the mast and give a shout-out to which team you’re supporting in this year’s WBBL season.
This week, well, I guess it’s time for some tipping.
Before I (stupidly) make my round 1 picks known, I wanted to share a quick round-up of some crickety goodness from around the web.
Firstly, for a preview to the upcoming season, check out Mary K’s article on Siren Sport. Mary does a great job of analysing the pre-season player movements and offering her opinions on the season.
If you haven’t already, jump on over to Instagram and give me a follow - I’m teaming up with Fierce Girls Cricket and a couple of others for an amazing competition that starts next weekend that you’re not going to want to miss.
And finally, Grace Harris is showing some early comedic form if the Heat Instagram account is anything to go by.
Okay.
Quick thoughts on the line-ups and then it’s time to doom some teams to a first-round loss by virtue of me picking them to win.
Scorchers - Mooney and Devine are some pretty big signings for the Scorchers and there was a collective ‘oooh’ across social media when they were revealed. Though I don’t think they’ll be the Smash Sisters 2.0, I expect them to form the sort of steady/explosive partnership Mooney and Healy have for the Aussies. Overall, I think the Scorchers have a got a pretty balanced side this year and I think they’ll at least make the top 4, if not the final.
Heat - I’ve got one compound word for you - Three-peat. The Heat will certainly feel the loss of Mooney and SJJ, and they’ll miss Kirby Short’s steady-handed leadership. But. Jess Jonassen will do an amazing job as captain, and look out for Amelia Kerr to be better again. And if Grace Harris is at her explosive best, there isn’t a bowler in the competition that can contain her.
Strikers - I think the loss of Sophie Devine will be hard to get used to early for the Strikers and Megan Schutt is going to have to shoulder a lot of the bowling responsibility. The Strikers have picked up Stefanie Taylor and Laura Woolvardt this year, and while they’re both explosive batters, neither of them have been overly impressive in previous seasons. Overall, I think the Strikers are a little shaky in the middle order but all it will take is one or more of Bates, Taylor or Woolvardt to have a massive season to give them a look-in.
Hurricanes - The Canes have been lacking at the top of the order in the past, and this year they’ve nabbed the services of Rachel Priest, who I think will make a big difference. I think she’s exactly the type of stand-and-deliver batter they need opening the innings and providing them a good platform. Tayla Vlaeminck is out with injury though, so that puts a dent in their bowling stocks, but look to Vakarewa and Carey to step up.
Sixers - There’s no accounting for class, and the Sixers are full of it. They’re the only team to remain relatively stable, and on paper, they’re always the team to beat. Their international stars are coming off a great series against the Kiwis and with Kapp leading their bowling team (in the absence of Perry, who may be out due to injury), I think we’ll see them in the final again this year.
Thunder - The Thunder have recruited well and will benefit from Heather Knight’s leadership. They’ve also snared Tammy Beaumont, who can be a game-changer with the bat when she’s on, and Sammy-Jo Johnson, who I was sorry to see move on from the Heat. It will be interesting to see how teenager Phoebe Litchfield goes in just her second season after barnstorming onto the stage last summer. And of course they’ve got the ever-reliable Rach Haynes, who will be looking to take her recent form from the T20 world cup and the NZ series into this year and make up for a lean WBBL05. They’ll also miss the stoicism and experience of Alex Blackwell, but I think she’s imparted a lot of knowledge and wisdom onto this team over the last few seasons, so I expect to see them in the finals.
Renegades - The Renegades have always been a little underwhelming, especially since they boast talent like Satterthwaite, Tahuhu, Wareham and Strano. I’m just not sure they have the depth across the squad yet to make a title run, especially in the absence of Jess Duffin, who’s taking more time away after the birth of her daughter. Lizelle Lee is a great replacement though, and if she puts on some big totals, they may get close to the top four.
Stars - The Stars have lost half their team this year, with seven players moving on or retiring, so it will be interesting to see how they gel together. Meg Lanning is a huge signing for them coming back from the Scorchers, but I think their firepower is going to come from their internationals, Katherine Brunt, Nat Sciver and Mignon du Preez. Annabel Sutherland looks set to play a big role with both ball and bat, with her national squad experience under her belt. She’s shaping up to be a major force in women’s cricket if she can remain injury-free.
My Top 4 Predictions
Heat
Sixers
Scorchers
Thunder
This Week’s Tips
Scorchers v Heat - Although the Heat are known for starting sluggishly, and probably against my better judgement, I’m going with the Heat. (Looking forward to the banter between the Heat players and Beth Mooney, and to hearing G.Harris on the mic).
Strikers v Hurricanes - It’s the Hurricanes for me in this one.
Sixers v Thunder - I think the Thunder might go close, but the Sixers will be too strong.
Renegades v Stars - The Stars will be too strong for the Gades in this one.
Stars v Thunder - This will be a close one I think, but Stars to win it.
Heat v Renegades - The Heat normally win one/lose one (or lose one/win one) when they play back-to-back games so I’m going out on a limb here and predicting they’ll win this one too.
Sixers v Strikers - I don’t think the Strikers will be able to contain the likes of Gardner and Healy, so it’s the Sixers to win this one.
Scorchers v Hurricanes - Devine will be the difference in this one, so the Scorchers will get up for the win.
Righto, your turn. Hit me up with your predictions.