Saville injury a blow for Strikers

BIG hitting all-rounder Tabatha Saville is out of today’s opening Adelaide Strikers WBBL game against Brisbane Heat in Melbourne, with a hamstring injury.

Alice Springs product Saville, 20, whose Big Bash performances last season included Player of the Match accolades, pulled up with hamstring soreness following an internal trial game on Thursday.

Strikers physiotherapist Jim Wiltshire said Saville’s scans were not as the team had hoped.

“We will continue to monitor her and work with her to return to full fitness as soon as possible,” he said.

She was replaced in the 13player travelling squad by fellow all-rounder Eliza Doddridge, who was this week announced as the final signing in the side’s 15-player 2018/19 squad.

Saville isn’t the only player ruled out of team selection, with English import Danielle Hazell, unable to play due to English Cricket Board regulations that stipulate a player must have seven days rest after an international tour (Hazell played last Sunday in England’s loss to Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup final).

Strikers coach Andrea McCauley said she understood the ECB’s decision.

“It’s disappointing from our point of view, but we certainly understand the circumstances,” she said.

McCauley was also disappointed by Saville’s omission.

“Obviously, she’s an exciting young player for us, with bat and we think she’s got a role to play with the ball this

“Hopefully it’s only a shortterm injury”

year, too,” she said.

“It’s disappointing news for her.

“Hopefully it’s only a short-term injury and she can be up and running again next week, but we’re still waiting for the news.”

With Saville and Hazell out of selection, McCauley said deciding the starting XI would be tough.

“We’ve assembled a good squad and the young, local girls have all improved a lot and there’ll be a bit of a fight for a couple of positions,” she said.

She said competition would be fierce to secure a batting spot in the middle order.

“And without (spin bowler) Dani Hazell, that’s four overs of bowling that we’d be normally be counting on, so someone else gets an opportunity with the ball too,” she said.

“Whether that’s a spinner, or someone else who’s in the mix like a Katelyn Pope or Sam Betts or Ellie Falconer.

“Eliza Doddridge can bowl a medium pacer, so she’d be in the conversation too.”

McCauley said the Strikers shaped up well against the Brisbane Heat and were looking forward to getting their season off to a good start.

“The girls are confident,” she said.