FRIENDLY FOES MEET

OFF the field, Tasmanian cricketers Sasha Moloney and Courtney Webb are great friends, former housemates – and coffee aficionados.

But the duo will “go to war” at Blundstone Arena on Saturday when the Hobart Hurricanes play Melbourne Renegades in the opening game of their WBBL07 campaigns.

Moloney, the Hurricanes’ slashing batter, and 21-year-old Tasmanian Webb, one of the Renegades’ young guns, must put aside their friendship for the WBBL battle.

Although it is Webb’s third season in the big-time, it is her first WBBL game on home soil.

“I’m really nervous,” she said. “I haven’t played a Big Bash game in Tassie yet, so it will be really cool to play in front of friends and family. I’m definitely feeling the nerves.

“I’m really good friends with Sasha, so it’s good to see all the girls but it’s definitely one you want to win.”

The WBBL season starts with a hub and 24 games in Hobart, Launceston and in the state’s North-West over the next three weeks.

Life in a cricket hub has been kind to those who did not have to quarantine, like Webb, who is based in Adelaide.

“We arrived on Monday and restrictions are a little bit nicer here in Tassie,” she said.

“We’ve been able to get out and see a few things and go to some cafes and restaurants, so it has been a pretty good start.”

Webb has been the tour guide, and happily recommended her top coffee spots.

Moloney would love to see Webb, who has a recently inked new deal to play for the Renegades for the next two seasons, in purple one day.

“We can always hope. She’s a great player, not only with the bat but she’s also great in the field,” she said.

“We would have loved to have her in purple bit it’s just great to see Tassie talent playing in the WBBL, whether that’s with the Hurricanes or a different team.”