A cracking contest is on the cards as the Sydney Thunder Women take on the Brisbane Heat Women in the first Semifinal of the Women's Big Bash League at Sydney on Saturday morning. The League stage was a tightly contested event in which the Thunder and Heat finished at second and third spots respectively. Both of them won 9 out of their 14 matches each and Heat had a better net run rate that Thunder. However, Thunder qualified for the semifinal one spot ahead of the Heat as they had lost one match less than them. One of their matches didn't have any result and hence that turned out to be the reason of their better ranking.
The last time they met in the league, the Heat emerged victorious by 3 wickets. Moreover, the Thunder have suffered a major blow as Harmanpreet Kaur won't feature in the semifinal as she has departed for national duty. But they have the depth in the squad to come up with a good replacement. The Thunder's main strength has been their bowling in this season whereas the Heat mesmerized everyone with their batting exploits. Everyone can expect to see a thrilling contest between the bat and ball on this match as well.
Weather and Pitch conditions: Overcast conditions but no chance of rainfall. The conditions will help the pace bowlers initially. Otherwise it would be a good batting deck.
PREDICTED XI:
Sydney Thunder: Rachael Haynes, Rachel Priest (wk) , Naomi Stalenberg, Alex Blackwell [C],
A cracking contest is on the cards as the Sydney Thunder Women take on the Brisbane Heat Women in the first Semifinal of the Women's Big Bash League at Sydney on Saturday morning. The League stage was a tightly contested event in which the Thunder and Heat finished at second and third spots respectively. Both of them won 9 out of their 14 matches each and Heat had a better net run rate that Thunder. However, Thunder qualified for the semifinal one spot ahead of the Heat as they had lost one match less than them. One of their matches didn't have any result and hence that turned out to be the reason of their better ranking.
The last time they met in the league, the Heat emerged victorious by 3 wickets. Moreover, the Thunder have suffered a major blow as Harmanpreet Kaur won't feature in the semifinal as she has departed for national duty. But they have the depth in the squad to come up with a good replacement. The Thunder's main strength has been their bowling in this season whereas the Heat mesmerized everyone with their batting exploits. Everyone can expect to see a thrilling contest between the bat and ball on this match as well.
Weather and Pitch conditions: Overcast conditions but no chance of rainfall. The conditions will help the pace bowlers initially. Otherwise it would be a good batting deck.
PREDICTED XI:
Sydney Thunder: Rachael Haynes, Rachel Priest (wk) , Naomi Stalenberg, Alex Blackwell [C], Stafanie Taylor, Hannah Darlington, Nicola Carey, Rachel Trenaman, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Samantha Bates
Brisbane Heat: Grace Harris, Beth Mooney (wk), Sammy-Jo Johnson, Kirby Short (C) Jess Jonassen, Josephine Dooley, Laura Harris, Laura Wolvaardt, Delissa Kimmince, Jemma Barsby, Georgia Prestwidge
Player Recommendations
Wicket-keeper: Beth Mooney (9.5 Cr)
The Heat Wicket-keeper has the fifth highest run aggregate to her name in this season. She has scored 407 runs at an average of 37 while batting at the top of the order. Those runs include one century and a half century as well. Her role would be crucial going into this match once again.
Batsman: Rachael Haynes (10 Cr)
Haynes is the highest run getter for the Thunder Women this season. She has 376 runs to her name at an average if 34.18 while batting at the top of the order and has three fifties to her name as well. Thunder will again depend on her in this match to get them off to good start.
All-rounder: Grace Harris (10.5 Cr)
Harris has scored 356 runs at an average of 27.38 and 12 wickets at an average of 19.33 sum up her all round prowess. She has been equally lethal with both bat and ball with a century to her name and proving economical with the ball as well.
Bowler: Delissa Kimmince (9 Cr)
She is the highest wicket-taker for the Heat and the third highest wicket taker overall in this season with 19 wickets at an average of 17.31. She has been economical too, as her economy rate of 6.73 suggests.
Captain: Grace Harris
Vice-Captain: Beth Mooney
