SYDNEY THUNDER WOMEN: Sydney is currently in exceptional form, and much of their success can be attributed to the outstanding performance of Chamari Athapaththu. The Sri Lankan all-rounder has already accumulated an impressive 304 runs this season, a remarkable improvement considering she managed just 133 runs throughout the entire last season with the Renegades. It comes as no surprise that Athapaththu is being recognized as the standout player in the WBBL at the moment.
Rachel Wilson has found her rhythm at precisely the right moment, amassing a total of 233 runs. Her unbeaten 83 in the previous game underscores her excellent batting form, and she, along with Athapaththu, could arguably be considered the league’s best opening pair. While Litchfield (190 runs) and Knight (123 runs) have also contributed valuable runs, there is room for improvement in the middle order, particularly with Kapp (29) and Learoyd (48) expected to make more significant contributions.
Darlington, known for her reliability in securing at least two wickets per match, has performed admirably, with a total of 9 wickets for 198 runs. She undoubtedly stands out as the Thunder’s top bowler, with a considerable gap to the next-best performer, Kapp (5 wickets for 152 runs). Johnson is also making progress with figures of 4 wickets for 90 runs, though it remains a puzzle why Bates has bowled 22 overs, as her performance has been lackluster, yielding just 1 wicket for 170 runs.
HOBART HURRICANES WOMEN: The Hurricanes had an impressive run of three consecutive victories against the Strikers, Thunder, and Stars, making them appear formidable. However, a recent loss to the Heat brought them back down to earth, but the Hurricanes remain a force to be reckoned with.
Elyse Villani undeniably stands as the driving force behind the Hurricanes’ solid cricket performance, contributing significantly to their three victories. She has accumulated a total of 217 runs, displaying remarkable consistency with her lowest score being 39 runs and her highest an unbeaten 58*. While Leah Lee has made a decent contribution with 135 runs, her scores have been erratic, ranging from 91 to 17 to 1 in her last three games. The Hurricanes would be more formidable if they could rely on Lee as consistently as they do on Villani.
Despite some underwhelming performances from players like Bryony Smith (26), Heather Graham (46), and Nicola Carey (42), the team has found a silver lining in Rachel Stalenberg, who has added 100 runs to their tally.
While the Hurricanes’ bowling has shown promise, there’s room for improvement. Molly Strano, with 7 wickets for 123 runs at an economy rate of 6.83, has delivered some commendable performances. However, it’s evident that the team needs to enhance its collective bowling effort, as their best performance includes taking just 7 wickets. Shabnim Ismail has contributed well with 5 wickets for 146 runs, but Heather Graham has been conceding too many runs, giving away a total of 3 wickets for 177 runs.
