Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Weber WBBL|08 is poised to be an historic one for the Strikers, as several players are within reach of significant milestones.
On the batting side, reigning MVP Katie Mack and star all-rounder Tahlia McGrath are both closing in on 2000 career WBBL runs.
Mack was the competition’s second-highest run-scorer last season with 513 and currently has 1666 to her name, inclusive of her stint with the Melbourne Stars.
McGrath isn’t far behind with 1579 and when she reaches it, could become only the second player – behind ex-teammate Sophie Devine – to hit 2000 WBBL runs for the Strikers.
Mack has 820 runs in Adelaide blue and is well-placed to be the fifth player to hit 1000 runs in Strikers WBBL action, joining Devine, McGrath, Bridget Patterson and former captain Suzie Bates in the exclusive club.
Hard-hitting South African Laura Wolvaardt is another in line to reach the 1000-run milestone with 827 career WBBL runs – 728 of those coming as a Striker.
Australian pace ace Megan Schutt will have her sights set on snaring her 100th WBBL wicket this season. The match-winner has claimed 87 wickets in the tournament’s history and is also just two games away from notching her 100th WBBL match.
Young gun Darcie Brown has raced to 30 career WBBL wickets off the back of 20 last season – including an incredible hat-trick – and a repeat would rocket her to 50 WBBL dismissals.
Amanda-Jade Wellington is Adelaide’s all-time leading WBBL wicket-taker with 103 and is among four current Strikers in Mack, McGrath and Patterson with 100 games or more of WBBL experience.
Talented spinner Jemma Barsby (94 WBBL matches) and former captain Tegan McPharlin (93) could also reach the special milestone of 100 games this year.
Mack is just three matches away from her 50th appearance for the Strikers – with only eight players ahead of her in WBBL outings for the club.
Elite with bat in hand and in the field, Patterson is among the league’s top fielders and may take her 50th catch this season with 40 her current WBBL tally.
A career-best season from McPharlin behind the stumps could see her become the first Striker to claim 100 WBBL dismissals as a ‘keeper, having already snared 78 career dismissals with a season tally of 17 her best return thus far.
Meagan Dixon and new signings Ella Wilson and Anesu Mushangwe will all be targeting WBBL debuts this season while West Indies import Deandra Dottin is set to make her Adelaide Strikers debut in WBBL|08.
The Strikers open their WBBL|08 campaign against the Sydney Sixers this Saturday at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena from 3:10pm ACDT.
