Talking Points From WBBL Season Opener

Here are five talking points from the season opener.

Fans turn out for Wild West 

The ‘Wild West’ theme for the opening game of Perth Scorchers’ Weber WBBL|11 campaign saw its loyal home fans turn out in force. A bumper crowd of 3,589 turned up at the WACA Ground to cheer on the home side and immerse themselves in all things the ‘Wild West’. From bandanas, line dancing lessons and country music, Scorchers fans were treated to a plethora of activations off-field, as well as all the cricket action on it.  

Three debutants join Scorchers family
Prolific and experience batter Katie Mack and talented Englishwomen Paige Scholfield and Freya Kemp were presented with their caps before play. It didn’t click for the trio tonight, but all possess exciting traits – Mack’s intensity and inventiveness, and Kemp and Scholfield’s power hitting, for instance – that will hold the Scorchers in good stead as the tournament progresses.  

Hinkley composed under pressure 

After a stellar start to the WNCL campaign last month, top-order batter Mikayla Hinkley continued her strong vein of form in the shortened format. Hinkley’s 31 was the shining light in the Scorchers total of 109, remaining calm in her new role at number three while the going was tough.  

Scorchers spun out by star allrounder 

Star Sydney Sixers skipper Ash Gardner was the chief architect of the visitors’ win, taking her first five-wicket haul in the WBBL. Fresh from an excellent World Cup campaign for Australia, Gardner struck at regular intervals to ensure the Sixers sustained momentum through the Scorchers’ first innings.  

No rest for the wicked

The Scorchers won’t need to wait long before they take the field against Brisbane Heat at Allan Border Field on Wednesday, kick-starting a condensed block of interstate matches. Contests against Melbourne Stars (14 November, Karen Rolton Oval), Adelaide Strikers (16 November, CitiPower Centre) and Sydney Thunder (19 November, Drummoyne Oval) will follow a short time later, before the WACA Ground is humming again for the Ashes Afterparty (22 November, Adelaide Strikers). A strong performance interstate could set up the Scorchers’ season, which concludes with back-to-back games on home turf.