Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Knight, Darlington and Bates selected in best XI
England captain Heather Knight, Hannah Darlington and Sam Bates have been rewarded for outstanding seasons so far with selection in the WBBL|06 Team of the Tournament ahead of Thunder’s semi-final against the Brisbane Heat on Thursday.
They join the likes of Player of the Tournament Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) and Australian captain Meg Lanning (Melbourne Stars) in the team.
Rebel WBBL|06 Team of the Tournament
1. Beth Mooney (wk) (Perth Scorchers)
2. Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers)
3. Meg Lanning (c) (Melbourne Stars)
4. Heather Knight (Sydney Thunder)
5. Natalie Sciver (Melbourne Stars)
6. Laura Kimmince (Brisbane Heat)
7. Alana King (Melbourne Stars)
8. Sarah Coyte (Adelaide Strikers)
9. Hannah Darlington (Sydney Thunder)
10. Taneale Peschel (Perth Scorchers)
11. Sam Bates (Sydney Thunder)
12. Darcie Brown (Adelaide Strikers)
Coach: Ashley Noffke (Brisbane Heat)
The selection panel was made up former players Lisa Sthalekar (Seven Network) and Mel Jones (Fox Cricket), cricket.com.au journalist Laura Jolly and National Selector, Shawn Flegler.
In her first season wearing the lime green, Knight has scored 403 runs at an average of 40. Against the Adelaide Strikers at Sydney Showground Stadium, early in the tournament, she set a new record score for a Thunder batter in the WBBL.
Knight smashed 83 from 39 balls. The England captain finished third in the votes for Player of the Tournament.
Rebel WBBL|06 Player of the Tournament Votes
1. Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) – 31 votes
2. Meg Lanning (Melbourne Stars) – 29 votes
3. Heather Knight (Sydney Thunder) – 28 votes
4. Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat) – 22 votes
Alyssa Healy (Sydney Sixers) – 22 votes
5. Natalie Sciver (Melbourne Stars) – 21 votes
Mignon du Preez (Melbourne Stars) – 21 votes
Bates has been pivotal to Thunder’s success with her left-arm finger spin taking 15 wickets in 14 matches. Her best figures of 3-9 from her four overs came against the Perth Scorchers.
Reigning Alex Blackwell Medallist and rebel WBBL|05 Young Gun, 18-year-old seam bowler Hannah Darlington, has also taken 15 wickets for the tournament.
Darlington has been crucial at the end of each bowling innings with her changes of pace and accurate yorkers.
The rebel WBBL|06 Finals series gets underway tomorrow night with the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers facing off in the first semi-final, before the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder play off for a finals berth on Thursday.
Tickets are now on sale for the WBBL|06 finals. Tickets are $10 and kids 16 and under go free.
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