Stars clash in WT20 finals

The Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Series finished in Sydney on Sunday with England winning the series 10 points to eight, but after a gruelling month long contest there isn’t much rest for majority of the Southern Stars with domestic finals about to start.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have a few days rest and join up with their domestic teams as they finish final preparations for the WT20 semi-finals scheduled to take place at Blacktown International Sportspark on Wednesday February 5.

With a hiatus in the WT20 for the past month, I thought I would provide you with a guide to key match ups for the semi-finals and preview what will be an exciting day of cricket.

Semi-Final 1

In the first game of the day the Lend Lease Breakers, situated first on the WT20 ladder, will take on fourth placed The Tradies ACT Meteors, who just piped the SA Scorpions with one extra win.

In the two previous encounters this season the Breakers won both matches by 12 runs and six wickets. For the head-to-head since the inception of WT20, the Breakers have an impressive record of seven to one.

The Breakers haven’t dropped a match this season, but they have had a number of players participating in the women’s Ashes. Sarah Coyte might be ruled out with a quad strain that prevented her from taking part in all but two of the seven Ashes matches. Those who do play, may find their energy levels are down, but on the other hand they have been playing quality cricket for the last month.

For the Meteors they have had a nice break with their last match together on December 22 2013, with only one of their players, Rene Farrell, taking part in the Women’s Ashes.

It will take a team effort from the Meteors if they are to knock off the reigning WT20 Champions, with a couple of their key players really needing to have big games.

Key Performers

- Rene Farrell vs Breakers top-order (Rachel Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Leah Poulton and Alex Blackwell) – Rene is in form having claimed her best WT20 figures against the Breakers picking up 5-14.

- Ellyse Perry was recently named won the Player of the Ashes Series. Her form with the bat has been exceptional and I imagine she would go up the Breakers batting order as a result.

- Kris Britt and Nicola Browne will be the key for ACT posting a competitive score, with both having an ability to rip an attack apart.

- Sarah Aley is the equal leading wicket taker for this format and has been given a real boast of confidence by being selected in the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars team that will tour Sri Lanka following the WNCL Final.

Semi-Final 2

The second semi-final clash will see two quality sides come up against each other, with the Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit taking on Konica Minolta Queensland Fire.

Similar to the Breakers, the Spirit will have a number of Southern Stars returning from an arduous month on the road with the women’s Ashes.

In their previous encounters this season, the VicSpirit came away with two wins and in the head-to-head count, the Fire have not registered a win against them either.

It may seem a forgone conclusion that the Spirit will make their fifth consecutive WT20 final, but the Fire have a talented squad that on their day can challenge the history books. 

It will be interesting to see if Jodie Fields will make herself available after fracturing a finger during the women’s Ashes that saw her miss all the ODIs and T20s. It might be the last time she has the chance to impress on the Australian selectors that she still can play a role in the T20 side moving forward, with the World Cup only months away.

Key Performers

- Meg Lanning is in a purple patch having played a crucial role in the Southern Stars performances in the ODIs and T20s in the women’s Ashes, and I expect that she will continue her devastating form.

- Delissa Kimmince has been in the form of her life especially with the bat. She must have been extremely close in making her comeback into the Australian side for the women’s Ashes. Her ability to hit to all parts of the ground poses a real threat to a relatively average Victorian bowling attack.

- Elyse Villani would have been frustrated with her form in the Ashes, but will want to repay the faith shown by the Australian selectors with a strong performance in the rest of the domestic season.

- Spinners vs Spinners – both teams have three spinners a piece and I believe that match will be decided by which spin attack executes well.

Prediction

Since the inception of the WT20 competition two teams have dominated the competition, the Breakers and VicSpirit.

Despite both games having the potential to be exciting and close, I still believe the Breakers and VicSpirit will prove to be the two best teams in the competition.

Live scores of Wednesday's semi-finals will be available on www.cricket.com.au. Friday’s final will be a double header to the BBL BIG FINAL and will be broadcast on Network Ten via ONE HD and ABC Radio.