Big guns itching to delight Tassie fans
TASMANIA’s blockbuster summer of cricket kicks off in Hobart on Thursday night with the opening match of the women’s Big Bash set to light up Blundstone Arena.
The eyes of the cricketing world will be on Tasmania over the next two weeks as the Apple Isle hosts the first 20 games of the popular Women’s Big Bash League.
The opening match of WBBL|07 will feature the Sydney Sixers taking on the Melbourne Stars on Thursday night and Sixers superstar Ellyse Perry said she was itching to get under way. “I think both teams are extremely excited to kick it off as it’s such a wonderful tournament and every edition seems to get a little bigger and more exciting,” she said.
The Australian all-rounder said she expected an even competition this year and was excited to take the field with a host of new teammates.
“I think every competition there’s a number of teams that are really in the mix and it really just depends on form over the next six weeks.”
“I certainly give ourselves a chance as I’m sure the Stars do too but there’s so many good teams in the competition.
“We have a really fresh team this year … there’s seven new faces in our squad so I think that automatically brings an air of excitement and a freshness to the group, which is really cool.”
Perry’s Australian teammate and Stars captain Meg Lanning was just as excited to get going for the tournament opener.
“It’ll be a great clash. The Sixers have certainly got some great players and some good depth so hopefully we can put on a great show,” Lanning said.
“There’s so many good teams it’s hard to know where we sit until you get into the tournament and start playing but we are very excited as a group and we’ve got some new faces as well which in itself presents a good opportunity. I think this tournament is shaping up to be extremely close and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
The Sixers and the Stars will lock horns at 7.40pm on Thursday at Blundstone Arena.
On Saturday, the Hurricanes begin their campaign against the Renegades at 3.40pm, then the Sydney Thunder take on the Adelaide Strikers at 7.05pm.
Tasmania will host 24 of the first 27 games of the WBBL season.
Nine games are at Blundstone Arena, 12 at UTAS Stadium and three at Invermay Park in Launceston.