WBBL|05 Fan’s guide: Adelaide Strikers

After a disappointing campaign in WBBL|04, the Strikers have a new coach in Luke Williams on board and have made some very handy additions to their ranks for the upcoming season.  

First and foremost is the recruitment of West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor – the second highest run scorer in women’s T20I history, after fellow Striker Suzie Bates – from the Thunder.

Unfortunately she won’t be available for the whole season due to international commitments - the Strikers have lined up England’s Lauren Winfield as a replacement for the period she’s away - but Taylor will be available at the front and back ends of the season, forming a mouth-watering top-order alongside White Ferns ‘Smash Sisters’ Sophie Devine and Bates.

Batter Katie Mack has been recruited from the Melbourne Stars, strengthening the middle order, and with a bowling line-up that includes the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler Schutt and talented leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington, the Strikers look to have a well-rounded list.

Competition for spots in the playing XI is likely to be fierce.

WBBL|04 result: Sixth

Current squad: Suzie Bates (NZ), Darcie Brown, Sarah Coyte, Sophie Devine (NZ), Ellie Falconer, Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Alex Price, Tabatha Saville, Megan Schutt (Aus), Stafanie Taylor (WI), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Aus), Lauren Winfield (Eng, replacement) 

In: Katie Mack (Stars), Stafanie Taylor (Eng, Thunder), Darcie Brown, Lauren Winfield (Eng)  

Out: Dani Hazell (Eng), Samantha Betts (Scorchers), Katelyn Pope, Eliza Doddridge  

Image Id: 9B359CFE1F1142C29A1C7981D4955293 Image Caption: Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates // Getty

The word from Australia great and Fox Cricket commentator Mel Jones:

"For the Strikers, recruitments have been good. They've found a few players to slot into some key positions. Stafanie Taylor, they called her the golden-arm at the Sydney Thunder. She's great with the ball and exceptionally good with the bat as well and brings some leadership skills in the field. The other one is Katie Mack coming across from the Melbourne Stars, a real workhorse in the middle order, so if she can work with the powerhouse hitting of Bates and Devine I think that'll really add to some big totals for the Strikers."  

One to watch: Darcie Brown. Brown is just 16 years old but has been clocked at speeds up to 116km/h and has already represented Australia’s Under 19s, having toured New Zealand earlier this year. She’s the youngest player to ever sign with the Strikers and while it’ll be a tough task for her to break into this strong Strikers line-up, it will be very interesting to see what her raw pace brings to the table if given a chance.

The pressure is on: Amanda-Jade Wellington. The internationally capped leg-spinner has captured worldwide attention for her prodigious spin and she’s got a point to prove after losing her Cricket Australia contract earlier this year. With a T20 World Cup on home soil looming early next year, now is the time for Wellington to state a case if she wants to break back into the national side.

Image Id: 39A4AA5015B64A36801FD4CA1592ADE7 Image Caption: Amanda-Jade Wellington has a point to prove // Getty

Possible starting XI: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Stafanie Taylor, Tahlia McGrath, Katie Mack, Bridget Patterson, Sarah Coyte, Tegan McPharlin, Alex Price, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Fixtures

Check out the full WBBL|05 fixture here

October 19 v Renegades, Karen Rolton Oval (2pm)

October 20 v Renegades, Karen Rolton Oval (2pm)

October 26 v Hurricanes, AB Field (9.40am)

October 27 v Scorchers, AB Field (9.40am)

November 2 v Heat, Harrup Park, Mackay (6.15pm)

November 3 v Heat, Harrup Park, Mackay (3pm)

November 9 v Scorchers, Karen Rolton Oval (1.40pm)

November 10 v Stars, Karen Rolton Oval (1.40pm)

November 16 v Stars, Centennial Park Oval, Nuriootpa (2pm)

November 20 v Thunder, North Dalton Park, Wollongong (2.30pm)

November 23 v Hurricanes, Blundstone Arena (7.10pm)

November 24 v Thunder, Blundstone Arena (10am)

November 30 v Stars, Hurstville Oval (2pm)

December 1 v Stars, Hurstville Oval (2pm)

All times local