This post was first written for and published for the Roar.
With a six-wicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon, the Sydney Thunder secured their place in this year’s WBBL finals, and South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail can’t wait.
“Finally,” said Ismail.
“I am so bloody stoked to be in the finals.”
This post was first written for and published by the Roar.
For Chloe Rafferty and the Hobart Hurricanes, WBBL06 has come to an end.
Concluding their campaign on Sunday against the Sydney Thunder, the Hurricanes had a challenging season. They finished at the bottom of the ladder with just three wins, but Rafferty was grateful for the opportunity to play, given the events that transpired earlier this year.
“It was a bit of a shock,” said Rafferty.
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
When I speak with Tess Flintoff from the Melbourne Stars, I’m not sure what I should congratulate her on first: the Stars making the WBBL finals for the first time in the franchise’s history or Flintoff finally finishing her Year 12 exams.
“It’s a bit of a weird feeling,” said Flintoff.
“There’s quite a bit going on at the moment but it’s a really exciting time.”
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
Even though Katie Mack is in her second season with the Adelaide Strikers, she can’t help but have a soft spot for her former club the Melbourne Stars.
“It feels so good to see the Stars make the finals for the first time,” said Mack.
“I have a real soft spot for the Stars. I really enjoyed my time there and made some great friends there, not just players, but also coaching staff.
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
Nicole Faltum has been part of the Melbourne Stars since WBBL03, but hasn’t had the chance to feature in a finals series.
That will all change in WBBL06.
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Stars sit on top of the ladder, with 19 points, and are the only team assured of playing in the finals.
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
Melbourne Renegades coach Lachlan Stevens says he’ll remember “being tired and a little stressed” living the ‘hub life’ throughout WBBL06.
“It’s been difficult and a challenge for me personally. I miss my little boy at home. That’s been hard for me from a selfish perspective and feeling bad for not contributing to my family,” Stevens says.
But he will also remember the tremendous commitment of so many people to ensure that the season went ahead – those at Cricket Australia who helped organise the hub, to the staff at the WBBL clubs and all the internationals who have come from overseas to compete.
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
When Laura Wolvaardt from the Adelaide Strikers is batting, she is hard to miss.
Not only does the South African international have a mane of curly hair, but she has a slightly unconventional batting stance which sees her very animated and moving the bat as she waits for the bowler to bowl their delivery.
“It makes me feel ready when I stand like that,” said Wolvaardt.
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
After seven matches in WBBL06, all-rounder Taneale Peschel has taken the most wickets for the Perth Scorchers.
In six innings, Peschel has taken six wickets at an average of 5.88 and surprised herself with the success she has had in the tournament so far.
“I’m a little bit shocked myself as to how I have been bowling,” said Peschel.
This article was first written for and published by the Roar.
Sasha Moloney’s love of cricket has taken her all over the world to play, including Ireland and the Netherlands.
From May to August in 2015, Moloney was part of the Typhoons team in the Cricket Ireland Women’s Super Threes series. That competition involved 50-over and T20 matches.
