WBBL|03- Heat Preview
Ins: Laura Wolvaardt (overseas injury replacement)
Outs: Smriti Mandhana, Grace Harris (knee injury)
Full Squad
Batters: Laura Harris, Tess Cooper, Laura Wolvaardt, Kirby Short
Wicketkeepers: Beth Mooney
Allrounders: Jess Jonassen, Deandra Dottin, Delissa Kimmince
Bowlers: Georgia Prestwidge, Holly Ferling, Kara Sutherland, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Haidee Birkett, Jemma Barsby, Courtney Hill
WBBL|02 Snapshot
Average Runs Scored Per Game: 117.14 (League average= 120.84)
Average RPO: 6.34 (League average= 6.43)
WBBL|02 Top 3 Runscorers
Beth Mooney: 15 matches, 15 innings, 482 runs @ 43.81. HS- 78*
Kirby Short: 15 matches, 15 innings, 293 runs @ 19.53. HS- 43
Jess Jonassen: 15 matches, 14 innings, 226 runs @ 20.54. HS- 32.
WBBL|02 Top 3 Strike-rate (minimum 50 runs)
Beth Mooney: 15 innings, 482 runs/417 balls, SR 115.58. 4s: 58, 6s: 2.
Deandra Dottin: 7 innings, 178 runs/162 balls, SR 109.87. 4s: 21, 6s: 3.
Laura Harris: 7 innings, 66 runs/62 balls, SR 106.45. 4s: 3, 6s: 1.
Average Runs Conceded: 119.28 (League average= 120.84)
Average Economy Rate: 6.29 (League average= 6.43)
WBBL|02 Top 3 Wicket-takers
Jess Jonassen: 15 matches, 55.4 overs, 17 wickets @ 16.82. BB 3/12.
Jemma Barsby: 15 matches, 45 overs, 16 wickets @ 19.62. BB 4/13.
Haidee Birkett: 15 matches, 48.4 overs, 9 wickets @ 36.88. BB 2/21.
WBBL|02 Top 3 Economy Rates (minimum 20 overs)
Jess Jonassen: 15 matches, 17 wickets, 55.4 overs for 286 runs, ER 5.13.
Deandra Dottin: 9 matches, 4 wickets, 23 overs for 142 runs, ER 6.17.
Sammy-Jo Johnson: 14 matches, 5 wickets, 36 overs for 233 runs, ER 6.47.
Batting Preview
You could make an argument that, despite being left out of the first few Ashes ODI’s, that Beth Mooney is the form batter in Australia right now. The left-handed opener plundered 482 runs in WBBL|02, more than anyone else bar Meg Lanning, who is, and always will be, on a different level to anyone else. The experienced Kirby Short slotted in as Mooney’s opening partner and was a great foil to her more explosive team-mate, and the Heat skipper is averaging an impressive 36 in the WNCL so far this season. It really was a shame last year when Dottin succumbed to a horrific facial injury, because the West Indian pocket dynamo is, alongside Sophie Devine, probably the premier T20 striker in the world. Grace Harris was scheduled to return to her home side, however even with her absence due to a knee injury, the first ever WBBL centurion is a shadow of her former self. Her replacement, South African teenage prodigy, Laura Wolvaardt is a better result for the side and is a fascinating batter to watch, having been the youngest South African player, male or female, to score a century for the country. She will slot into the top 3, though much more will be expected of Jess Jonassen and Delissa Kimmince to contribute more runs- the two are powerful strokemakers, and more than capable of match-winning knocks; although both appear to have declined slightly in their batting ability over the past few years.
Bowling Preview
The Heat bowling unit is an exceptionally balanced attack that looks like it will go to another level this season. Left-arm offie Jonassen leads the attack, and often opens up. The proud Queenslander is one of, if not the, toughest bowler in the WBBL to get away and her economy rate of 5.13 was third- behind only Marizanne Kapp and Megan Schutt in WBBL|02. Someone to watch out for this season is the returning Holly Ferling, one of the quickest bowlers in the country and someone who provides a unique point-of-difference that not many can provide. Delissa Kimmince and Deandra Dottin will both provide some pace to support the former Aussie quick. At the other end of the spectrum, Jemma Barsby doesn’t need a reference to her father anymore, because the left AND right arm spinner is a genuine star in her own right. She spins it the opposite way to Jonassen, and is more of an attacking option.
Fielding Preview
This fielding unit is the best in the competition, hands down. It isn’t even so much due to a lot of individual athletes pulling off dynamic saves or catches; but more because these girls hunt as a pack. The QLD mentality is certainly strong with this team- a lot of the players have been playing together for over a decade, and they put the pressure back onto the batters.
In an individual sense though, Jess Jonassen is the premier fielder in the country; and no one in their right mind should be taking her on at point. Haidee Birkett came from the clouds last season to register herself as one to watch, and not just for her bowling; the youngster pulled off one of the catches of the summer (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qGk9jEWRF4) and was constantly a cat waiting to pounce. Messers Prestwidge, Kimmince and Dottin all have very strong arms and great agility, with Dottin in particular a phenomenal speed athlete and great awareness. All of these doesn’t even mention the influence of Beth Mooney behind the stumps either, who has great voice and pretty sharp movement.
Betting Opportunities
Team B Leading Wicket Taker- Jemma Barsby. I cannot believe the odds on offer here for the Heat’s second highest wicket taker last season. Barsby is also sitting equal third on the WNCL Most Wickets table this season. She certainly may not always be the most economical, because she does try to put extra revolutions and flight on the ball, but you always feel like you are a chance of a wicket when she is on. Great odds.
Example: Game One v Scorchers- $9 (Sportsbet)
Wickets Lost After 10 Overs. They don’t necessarily always get off to the fastest of starts, but the Heat openers were exceptionally consistent and steady over much of the season. If Woolvardt is promoted to opener that does throw a spanner in the works, but I’m pretty comfortable this is a very safe play for the Heat.
Exanple: Game One v Scorchers- $1.65 Under 2.5
Predicted Finish
3rd.
It may not seem to the outside eye the strongest side on paper, but the game of cricket is not played on paper! With the competition’s premier opener in Beth Mooney, it gives the middle-order a great platform to work from; and there certainly could be some fireworks from Woolvardt and Dottin. Don’t seem to quite match it with the Scorchers and Sixers just based on depth, but I certainly wouldn’t put a line through them and the $9 is pretty juicy.
WBBL|03 Winner: $9 (TAB)
