Perth have a WBBL record crowd in their sights for the big Boxing Day double header at Optus Stadium
Scorchers out to smash record
The Scorchers have issued a challenge to Perth’s cricket fans, calling on them to help break the Rebel WBBL attendance record on Boxing Day.
In a twist from previous KFC BBL and WBBL Scorchers double-headers, the December 26 action at Optus Stadium will see the men’s match played first, before the Perth women take center stage for the evening match.
The club hopes to break the current record for attendance at a WBBL match, which currently stands at 25,546.
“It’s going to be a huge day of cricket for fans and we’d love everyone to hang around us and support us and be there and behind us while we go out and express ourselves,” Scorchers batter Elyse Villani said on Monday.
The BBL team will meet reigning champions Adelaide at 4.15pm local time (7.15pm AEDT) before Meg Lanning’s side hosts the Brisbane Heat from 7.45pm WST (10.45pm AEDT).
Both matches loom as crucial contests for the Scorchers.
The Perth men have started their BBL|08 season with back-to-back defeats to the Melbourne Renegades and the Sydney Sixers and will be desperate to get their first points on the board in front of a home crowd.
The Scorchers women have a 4-4 win/loss record after eight matches and with six games remaining in their regular season, a win against the Heat would be key to staying in touch with the top four.
But in positive news, captain Lanning has returned to form and fitness, blasting a 50-ball 75 against the Renegades at the WACA Ground on Sunday.
She forms a formidable opening partnership with fellow Australian international Villani who is currently third on the WBBL|04 runs tally with 301 runs at 43 from eight innings.
“We’ve got a bit of a stint at home so I think these next couple of games will be really important,” Villani said on Monday.
“We want to make it a fortress here whether we play at Optus, the WACA or Lilac Hill and make it difficult for teams to come and play in Perth.”
“Meg was outstanding for us the other day and it was nice to have a big partnership with her.
“We know what she’s capable of and hopefully she’s got a bit of a run on now and is going to have a huge back end of the season.”