Power hitting a smash in Women's Big Bash

Adelaide Strikers power hitter Sophie Devine believes the introduction of strength and conditioning coaches along with modern equipment is the secret behind players scoring more boundaries than ever before.

Already 881 fours and 95 sixes have been hit in this Rebel’s Women Big Bash season and with 19 games remaining, the players are on target to eclipse the 111 sixes hit in the inaugural season.

Devine, who has already managed to clear the ropes on 13 occasions from her seven games for the Strikers, is adamant the number of sixes hit will continue to grow in the coming years. 

"I know some people say girls don’t hit as many sixes and fours as the men’s game but that is slowly changing,” Devine told bigbash.com.au.  

"There is so much more emphasis in the power game especially with all the work we put in in the gym and also the evolution of the T20 game.

"Having all the conditioning coaches around us certainly has helped in developing the right muscles for the power game."

The size of cricket bats has been the subject of hot debate in recent times, but Devine reveals she uses what she terms a ‘light’ bat compared to other players in the game. 

"My bat is 2 pounds 7 ounces, I like to use a lighter bat so I can generate a little bit more hands speed.

"But it’s different for different people, if there is a player out there that simply cannot generate the same hand speed then they will use a slightly heavier bat.

"I have found the sub-continent players generally use a lot heavier bats that us but that is also because of the pitch they player on."

One part of the game that has developed is the ability of batters to loft the ball over the off-side. 

Traditionally, the majority of sixes have been scored between square leg to long-on, but it’s become evident in WBBL|02 that players are capable of hitting the ball over the covers on a more frequent basis. 

According to Devine, this development has come about thanks to specific training programs. 

"We work a lot more on ‘range hitting’, where we would go out to centre wicket or somewhere we can see how far the ball lands.

"It also gives us a chance to talk with the bowlers and the coaches about where do you think the fielders might setup and allows you to work on the power side of the game."

Having hit an incredible 63 sixes in her international career to date, the White Ferns superstar is quick to point out there is a certain amount of preparation that goes in to hitting the ball out of the park. 

"If the boundaries are around 80 meters and there is a long-on, I would probably start thinking  where else can I access the boundary.

"But if the ball is in the slot and I feel the wind is with me then I’m comfortable about clearing the ropes I will back myself."

WBBL|02 - Most sixes

Players:

13 - Sophie Devine (Strikers)

7 - Meg Lanning (Stars)

6 - Alyssa Healy (Sixers)

Team:

17 - Sydney Sixers

16 - Adelaide Strikers

14 - Sydney Thunder