Adam Collins examines what role the Women’s Big Bash League can play in the world of cricket
With this front of mind, they couldn’t have dreamed up a better start to the tournament’s third season, which was nothing short of carnage with the bat. Ramming home this point, last season only one innings topped 170. In eight games last weekend, that tally was surpassed seven times.
When the Sydney Thunder smacked a WBBL-high 200-6 in the first match, it was truly a landmark. In the next rubber of the doubleheader when the Sydney Sixers amassed 242-4, it was scarcely believable. No Big Bash side had ever made that many, men or women.
It isn’t often you can say someone threw away a double ton in 20-over cricket. But Ashleigh Gardner may have. In all the mayhem, she was dismissed in the 14th over having already made 114 in 52 balls. No woman has ever launched more sixes than the ten she did.
Speaking of tons, there had only been two in two seasons. After New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates saluted in 65 balls on Sunday, that doubled inside 24 hours. The numbers kept coming. 629,000 people tuned in to watch Gardner on (free to air) television. Nearly 8,800 came through the gates over two days at Sydney. It was special.
All told, not a bad weekend for Kim McConnie to have overseen as her first in charge of the Big Bash juggernaut, taking over the job just two months ago. After 14 years living in New York, working in sports marketing, she returned to Australia for the role.
This story is from the December 15,2017 edition of The Cricket Paper.
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This story is from the December 15,2017 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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