Thunder captain Alex Blackwell will look to guide her new-look team back to the top after missing the finals last summer
WBBL|03 preview: Sydney Thunder
Previous WBBL|03 previews:
Squad: Alex Blackwell (C), Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Maisy Gibson, Rachael Haynes, Rachel Trenaman, Hannah Trethewy, Lisa Griffith, Naomi Stalenberg, Nicola Carey, Rachel Priest, Harmanpreet Kaur, Belinda Vakarewa, Rene Farrell, Stafanie Taylor
In: Lisa Griffith, Rachel Priest (Renegades), Rachel Trenaman, Hannah Trethewy, Hannah Darlington
Out: Stef Daffara, Mikayla Hinkley (Scorchers), Claire Koski (Renegades), Erin Osborne (Stars), Lauren Cheatle (Sixers)
The inside word with coach Jo Broadbent: "I think on paper we were strong last year and I look at it on paper this year and I think we're just as strong. I think it just comes down to performances and what people contribute. We'll be looking for more consistency and more out of each of our players. I think collectively if we get another 20 per cent out of our players from last year (we'll be) winning cricket. We've got a strong batting line-up, when you look at Harmanpreet (Kaur), Stafanie Taylor, then you've got Rachel Priest, Rachel Haynes, Al Blackwell - any one of those five could probably open for us. And I haven't even mentioned Naomi Stalenberg or Nic Carey. We've got Farrell and Belinda Vakarewa from a pace point of view, and then we've got (Sam) Bates, Stafanie, (Maisy) Gibson, Harmanpreet for spin. We've got a good balance, and then Rachel Priest behind the stumps will strengthen that area for us this year, and just her experience as a player (will help). Our leadership that we've got in our group, we've got about five international captains.The leadership we've got in and around these young players is a positive for us."
The talking point: Can Thunder strike the right mix of experienced heads and young or untried talent to return to finals? The lime green team have turned over six of 15 players from the WBBL|02 squad, which finished sixth last summer. Thunder captain Alex Blackwell, alongside acting Australia captain Rachael Haynes, will look to guide their new-look team back to the grandest stage, having taken on the inaugural title. There will be plenty of intrigue around whether ex-Renegade Rachel Priest, mature recruit Lisa Griffith and exciting youngster Rachel Trenaman, among other recruits, can help the team climb the T20 summit again.
The WBBL|02 result: Sixth. The Thunder failed to reach the lofty heights of their WBBL|01 campaign, missing out on finals altogether. Blackwell and overseas signings Harmanpreet Kaur and Stafanie Taylor had solid summers with the bat, making 386, 296 and 289 runs respectively, but the team had just one bowler in the top-15 wicket-takers in the league, with Nicola Carey claiming 14 scalps. Ultimately, it was just three points that separated them from a top-four berth, but with the tightness of the battle for finals spots there was no room for error last summer.
The one to watch: Rachel Priest. The former Melbourne Renegades captain and White Fern will be a welcome addition behind the stumps for the Thunder this summer. She had a solid WBBL|02 campaign, taking six catches and completing two stumpings, and making 263 runs with a strike rate of 100.76. With exciting young players on the cusp at the club, Priest brings another dimension of experience to the group.
The rising star: Rachel Trenaman. The 16-year-old leg-spinner shapes as an exciting prospect for the Thunder not just for WBBL|03, but for the years ahead. She has already been selected in two Governor-General’s XI sides, most recently taking on England in a T20 tour match at Sydney. A regional rookie with the club last summer, she is looking to have a big summer as a fully contracted player this season.
The changes: Rising bowling star Lauren Cheatle has crossed town to Sydney Sixers, while Mikayla Hinkley has gone to Perth Scorchers and Claire Koski and Erin Osborne have left for Melbourne clubs Renegades and Stars respectively. But Thunder have picked up born-again cricketer Lisa Griffith, who returned to the sport last year after a five-year absence, and lured New Zealand star and former Melbourne Renegades captain Priest north. They have also secured some exciting young talent that could play a significant role in the team’s fortunes.
The fixtures:
December 9 v Renegades – North Sydney Oval
December 10 v Sixers – North Sydney Oval
December 12 v Stars – Lavington Sports Ground, Albury
December 16 v Stars – Howell Oval, Penrith
December 30 v Hurricanes – University of Tasmania Stadium
December 31 v Hurricanes – University of Tasmania Stadium
January 7 v Scorchers – TBC
January 8 v Scorchers – WACA
January 13 v Sixers – SCG
January 20 v Strikers – Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga
January 21 v Strikers – Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga
January 24 v Renegades – Manuka Oval, Canberra
January 27 v Heat – Gabba
January 28 v Heat – Allan Border Field
Image Id: 5858CF8DC8BD4B148461F49AB42BF5D4