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WBBL|03 Semi-Final 1- PREVIEW

Match Preview

3^rd will be hosting 2^nd, as the WBBL finals get underway at the new Optus Stadium in Perth. The Thunder started WBBL|03 off with a bang, smacking 200 in the opening match after a whirlwind last eight overs saw 120 runs scored. They played with a minimum of fuss, and finished two wins ahead of the Scorchers, who have been much more inconsistent than their rivals. Embarrassingly for Perth, their losses this season have included capitulating to the Strikers for under 90 two days in a row.

Finals are a different ball game though, and both teams have a number of players with years of international experience. They match up very evenly across all three disciplines and came away with one win each following their two match-ups this season.

The fact the lower ranked side were allowed to have their game shifted across the Nullabor (from Adelaide) in order to play before their home crowd could have a massive impact on the contest, and certainly at the very least brings the two sides closer together.

Both sides are at full strength, and have not lost any international representatives; this match will be a cracker and a perfect preview for the Men’s clash later in the evening.

Recommended Bets

Between them, the two sides have registered 18 fifties from 14 rounds; with seven different players hitting the mark- pretty impressive considering the other semi-final could only manage eight fifties. Given the amount of international experience in this game, there won’t be many batters overawed; and the Wolf thinks this is the perfect recipe for a semi-final fifty.

50 SCORED? YES. $2.50

Top Thunder Batsman

The Thunder’s skipper has been very consistent this season, notching four fifties and striking at 121.42. It is imperative for her to lead from the front and clear the boundaries where possible.

RACHAEL HAYNES: $3.40

Top Scorchers Batsman

While her fellow opener, Elyse Villani, may have struck more runs, it is Nicole Bolton who has been the one constant through thick and thin. Villani tends to go missing when the heat is on, and it will be Bolton who will anchor the innings. Katherine Brunt will come in at 4 or 5, and the $11 for her is great value if the top order fails, as it often does.

NICOLE BOLTON: $3

Top Thunder Bowler

For an opening bowler that is still playing second fiddle (and ranked second in the wicket-taking list); Bates is a solid play at $5. She is impossible to get away (conceding 5.78 RPO) and will apply plenty of pressure to the vulnerable Scorchers line-up.

SAMANTHA BATES $5

Top Scorchers Bowler

English superstar, Katherine Brunt, has missed 2 games this season and is still the competition’s leading wicket-taker.

She has been the Scorchers leading wicket-taker on 10 occasions (out of 12), and she loves the big occasion. The Wolf thinks she might be one of the differences in the game.  70

KATHERINE BRUNT $2.70