We have the depth to cover Kaur: Haynes

Sydney Thunder star Rachael Haynes is confident her team can cover the loss of India captain Harmanpreet Kaur for their Rebel WBBL semi-final against Brisbane Heat this weekend.

Harmanpreet left Australia following the Thunder’s final home-and-away match, also against the Heat, at the weekend to prepare for an upcoming ODI and T20 series in New Zealand.

The departure of the flamboyant Indian has left a hole in the Thunder’s middle order, with Harmanpreet their second highest scorer of WBBL|04 with 310 runs at 31.

But with West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor, skipper Alex Blackwell and allrounder Nicola Carey at their disposal, Haynes believes the Thunder have enough batting firepower to topple the in-form Heat.

“She’s a pretty big loss for any team, she’s one of the best T20 players in the world and we’ve seen her at times be in some devastating form for us,” Haynes told the Unplayable Podcast.

“To lose her in the middle order will be a challenge but having said that, one of our strengths in our team is our batting depth.

“We saw in the last couple of games someone like Nicola Carey come out and swing the momentum in the middle order (and) she’ll get a bit more opportunity now Harmanpreet’s gone away.

“I’m confident we’ve got that well and truly covered, we’ve got a lot of depth in our group and I think that has us well placed for the semi.”

Haynes boasts the highest score of any Thunder player this season, a 48-ball 68 not out, while six different players have posted half-centuries.

That includes veteran skipper Blackwell, who hit a rapid-fire 48-ball 66no against the Renegades earlier this month.

“She’s wound back the clock the last couple week and played some amazing innings to be honest,” Haynes said of Blackwell.

“That innings was of the best innings I’ve seen her play.

“One thing about Al is she’s always trying to do well and has a lot of pride in her performances and this weekend will be no different.”

The Thunder could also be boosted by the return of veteran pace bowler Rene Farrell for the semi-finals.

The 32-year-old hasn’t played since breaking a finger against the Scorchers in Perth late last month, but Haynes confirmed the wily right-armer had resumed training and had put herself in contention for a return against the Heat on Saturday.

“She got through training today, we had a session in Blacktown and she got through that by all accounts,” Haynes said.

“So I think she’ll throw her hat in the ring for selection. It’ll be a tough team to pick, we’ve gone with different balances at different stages as well.

“(Farrell’s) been outstanding for us, not just this year but across whole four years.

“She’s one of those players who particularly in this format has good changes of pace and a very good yorker as well and her experience and knowledge of game helps too.

“We’d love to have her back this weekend for the semi-final and hopefully that is the case.”

The Thunder meet the Heat in the first of two semi-finals at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval this Saturday, beginning at 10.40am AEDT.