Thunder reign on Edwards’ parade

The trouble with batting first and batting comfortably is that you can get lulled into a false sense of security.

In making easily the highest total of the Rebel Women's Big Bash League Christmas weekend with a first-innings score of 152, the Perth Scorchers went into the second innings confident that they had the bowling and the fielding to defend their mammoth score.

What they hadn’t anticipated, however, was the effect of 40-degree heat and a menacing opening partnership from the Sydney Thunder, which set up a thrilling eight-wicket win in the final over.

"It’s a good pitch and a quick outfield," said Edwards after the game. "So you’re never quite certain. You need to start well. We didn’t probably take our chances early on.

"We probably haven’t bowled our best today and there’s’ been some exceptional batting at times as well. All in all that probably doesn’t bode well for us.

"So a pretty disappointing day. When you get 150 you should win most games of T20 cricket! Credit to the Thunder – I thought they bowled fantastically well today."

The Scorchers' own opening effort was a pretty good one itself, as 86 runs came thick and fast from both Elyse Villani (22) and Charlotte Edwards (88*), who looked as though they could repeat the previous day’s 124-run opening stand against the Melbourne Stars.

This was soon overshadowed by their opposite numbers however, as Sydney Thunder’s Rachel Haynes and Stafanie Taylor went about their work unfazed by the mammoth run-chase at hand.

Only two overs came without a boundary during the 15 Taylor and Haynes spent at the crease together, while the Scorchers fielders toiled in the searing heat.

It was intelligent and powerful batting and the West Indian’s knock of 57 came off 46 balls which included 10 boundaries, as both she and Haynes opted for big hits instead of any over-exertive running.

Scorchers’ Deandra Dottin further demonstrated her all-round credentials when a pin-point throw allowed her to run out her compatriot Taylor, but Haynes remained and when the former Southern Star did finally fall for 66, the Thunder only needed 12 from nine balls to win.

With the WBBL's resident 'finisher' (James Faulkner eat your heart out) Alex Blackwell at the crease alongside Nicola Carey, the rest was a matter of formality. A Carey slice past backward point finished the job as the Thunder rumbled home with two balls to spare. 

For the Scorchers and Charlotte Edwards especially, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow. Edwards has been in prolific form over the last three days, scoring 221 runs and being dismissed just twice in her four innings.

Even on the back end of four matches over three days, the 36-year-old showed that she’s still got it. Her knees may be not be as sturdy as they once were and Dottin may have been in danger of lapping her at the crease, but Edwards still has what it takes to play, and dominate, at the top level.

Before Christmas, the England captain had failed to pass the 50-mark for the Scorchers in six attempts. It was a source of great frustration not only for her team, but none more so than for Edwards herself who is used to strolling into teams of the tournament without a moment’s hesitation.

"A lot of it is mindset in this game," said Edwards. "I’ve had a couple of texts from back home just telling me to keep playing the way that I play and that’s something I’ve instilled in the girls.

"I’ve played enough cricket to know that if you play in the same way and you trust your method, you’ll come out the other side. I think that that’s probably a good lesson for a lot of our girls in our dressing room.

"I said it on Monday night so it’s nice that it’s come off over the weekend. But that’s experience. I’m 36 years of age, there are some youngsters in our team. I’ve been playing well since I’ve been out here - I’ve just been a little bit unlucky.

"Twenty20 cricket is pretty ruthless to you at times and not very forgiving. But when you’re in form you’ve got to make the most of it. I was on a good pitch, quick outfield – I’m pretty pleased with how I backed up over the three days if I’m honest."

Edwards was ably supported at the crease both by Villani to start and then Dottin thereafter, who registered her highest total yet of 28 off 23 balls including the weekend’s first six, a huge hit over deep-mid-wicket.

The shot was repeated, perhaps surprisingly, only a couple of overs later by Edwards herself who showed she’s just as capable of the big hits as she is her fine leg-glances, so consummate is her batting repertoire.

Edwards may have been helped by a quick outfield and a delayed reaction in setting fields to her, but the Scorchers delivered what should have been a match-winning batting performance. Now however, they’re left to rue a chance gone which would have elevated them towards the upper end of the ladder.

It’s a disappointing end to the three days for the home side, who dominated a strong Melbourne Stars unit but lost both encounters to the Sydney Thunder, whose win-loss ratio of 5-2 puts them in a far more comfortable position going forward.