WBBL|03- Thunder Preview
After being crowned the inaugural WBBL winners, sharing the spoils with their male counterparts, the Thunder failed to move forward like the rest of the competition did. There hasn’t been much happening on the recruiting front once again, with the only big name coming in Rachel Priest, and the only big departure, offie Erin Osborne.
With the current Australian captain and vice-captain occupying the exact reversal in their roles at the Sydney Thunder, they certainly aren’t wanting for leadership. What are lacking, however, is depth- with too much left to too few. It is hard to see them turning the tables much this season, although there are plenty of talented youngsters in the squad to get excited about for the future.
Ins: Lisa Griffith, Rachel Priest (Renegades), Rachel Trenaman, Hannah Trethewy, Hannah Darlington.
Outs: Stef Daffara (Hurricanes), Mikayla Hinkley (Scorchers), Claire Koski (Renegades), Erin Osborne (Stars), Lauren Cheatle (Sixers).
Full Squad
Batters:Alex Blackwell, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachael Haynes, Hannah Darlington
Wicketkeepers:Rachel Priest, Hannah Trethewy
Allrounders:Nicola Carey, Lisa Griffith, Harmanpreet Kaur, Stafanie Taylor
Bowlers:Sam Bates, Rene Farrell, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa, Maisy Gibson
WBBL|02 Snapshot
WBBL|02 Top 3 Runscorers
Alex Blackwell: 13 matches, 13 innings, 386 runs @ 38.60. HS- 61*
Harmanpreet Kaur: 13 matches, 12 innings, 296 runs @ 59.20. HS- 64*
Stafanie Taylor: 12 matches, 12 innings, 289 runs @ 26.27. HS- 68.
WBBL|02 Top 3 Strike-rate (minimum 50 runs)
Harmanpreet Kaur: 12 innings, 296 runs/253 balls, SR 116.99. 4s: 17, 6s: 11.
Alex Blackwell: 13 innings, 386 runs/354 balls, SR 109.03. 4s: 45, 6s: 5.
Rachael Haynes: 13 innings, 264 runs/249 balls, SR 106.02. 4s: 32, 6s: 3.
WBBL|02 Top 3 Wicket-takers
Nicola Carey: 13 matches, 39 overs, 14 wickets @ 21.07. BB 3/37.
Rene Farrell: 13 matches, 49.1 overs, 11 wickets @ 26.9. BB 3/26.
Erin Osborne (now gone): 13 matches, 46.5 overs, 11 wickets @ 28.09. BB 3/23.
WBBL|02 Top 3 Economy Rates (minimum 20 overs)
Sam Bates: 13 matches, 9 wickets, 47 overs for 256 runs, ER 5.44.
Rene Farrell: 13 matches, 11 wickets, 49.1 overs for 296 runs, ER 6.02.
Erin Osborne, 13 matches, 11 wickets, 46.5 overs for 309 runs, ER 6.59.
Batting Preview
Whilst not entirely disappointing, the Thunders did not make enough runs, or score quickly enough in WBBL|02 to be a significant threat. If it wasn’t for their suffocating bowling, they may well have been blown out of the water a few more times.
Blackwell, as always, was the rock in the batting at first drop last season, striking 45 boundaries (12 more than the next closest) and has been in good form for Australia and in the WNCL- hitting 162 runs @ 40. Strike-rate was a constant problem for the Thunder, with only Kaur (SR 117) a genuine boundary clearer. With Kaur coming in at 4, too often she did not have enough time to wreak havoc, with both Taylor and Haynes opening up and chewing up too many deliveries. A move to #3 for Kaur, and an increased pinch hitting role for the dangerous, and in form, Naomi Stalenberg (averaging over 40 in the WNCL) should go some way to addressing that problem. Aussie skipper Rachael Haynes has also taken her game to a new level since the last season, and her ability to clear the infield in the opening overs will be vital to a batting line-up that appears to lack enough depth or firepower to challenge the better sides. This is despite the inclusion of former Renegades opener, New Zealander Rachel Priest who is very hit and miss; and seems more miss more than hit.
Bowling Preview
For a team that went 6-7 and finished sixth out of eight teams, it is amazing how well their bowling brigade went. The opening duo of Rene Farrell (a right-arm inswinger) and Sam Bates (a left-arm offie) may look ungamely and don’t have the most eye-catching of techniques, but they are two of the most effective T20 bowlers in the country. Bates is currently going for only 2.69 runs per over in the WNCL, with Farrell at 3.60 and the equal leading wicket-taker; phenomenal numbers from both girls. Belinda Vakarewa and Maisy Gibson are set for much bigger roles this season after only appearing in six and three games respectively in WBBL|02. Vakarewa in particular has gone to new heights after being selected in the Australian squad for the first time, and her genuine pace will trouble a lot of batters. Between those two, and an increased bowling output from Stafanie Taylor (12 overs in WBBL|02) and Kaur (15 overs), there is more than enough to cover the loss of Erin Osborne. This Thunder bowling line-up will keep them in the hunt for wins.
Fielding Preview
Led by Rachael Haynes, who is alongside the Heat’s Jessica Jonassen in the top two fielders in the country, the Thunder are a solid fielding unit without being spectacular. There are a couple of liabilities in Sam Bates and wicketkeeper Rachel Priest (who despite being the NZ ‘keeper is less than tidy with the gloves and doesn’t move particularly well) but they aren’t enough to often cost the teams. Youngster Stalenberg and veteran Blackwell will be the two keys in the field, and will need to pull out some big moments to lift a team that will often have small totals to defend.
Betting Opportunities
LIVE: When the side is chasing and in trouble, Kaur and Blackwell are in their element. If the price starts rising, don’t be afraid to bet over $3.50 or $4- the Thunder are on side who won’t lose their heads.
Most Sixes: Quite often, against most sides, this will be a good value play given they won’t be short priced favourites. Even when they aren’t winning, it isn’t through a lack of boundary clearing- last season only the premiers, the Sydney Sixers (37) hit more 6’s than them (25).
Example- Game One v Renegades- $2.50 Sportsbet
Highest Opening Partnership: Stafanie Taylor and Rachael Haynes are probably the most stable opening partnership in the competition, and don’t get out cheaply very often.
Example- Game One v Renegades $1.96 Sportsbet
Predicted Finish
6th.
Yes, again. They are a solid side, but I don’t see many surprises here. Haynes and Kaur would have to have huge season to lift their side into the finals. It’s hard to see them being as bad as the Hurricanes or the Stars- and it is equally as hard to see them lifting the trophy.
WBBL|03 Winners: $8 (TAB, Sportsbet)
