Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Despite being disappointed by a winless opening weekend, the Adelaide Strikers latest 100-game player Megan Schutt believes there were still plenty of positives to come out of the Mackay trip.
The Strikers arrived in Mackay, Queensland on Tuesday for a whole squad camp, including a trial game against the Melbourne Stars on Thursday.
Their WBBL|08 campaign officially started on Saturday, with a 17-run loss to the Sydney Sixers, followed by a final over loss to the Melbourne Renegades on Sunday.
Schutt said that while they didn’t achieve the results they wanted, they learned a lot from their time in Mackay.
“Obviously none from two wasn’t how we pictured the weekend going, two games that in my opinion we should have won, so it was disappointing to walk away with that,” Schutt said.
“But there is still plenty of positives – we know that we were probably only 80-90 percent of our best, so to know we still have room to move and are still competitive was pleasing.”
Some of those positives include West Indian allrounder Deandra Dottin making her Strikers debut and showing what she brings to the top of the order and Jemma Barsby’s economical spin bowling.
“We had a few contributors with the bat which was cool and we’ve got the new make-up of Dottin opening the batting and she has obviously shown her power – she’s smoked me around before,” Schutt said.
“JB (Barsby), when the sticks are down she plays her best. Today she was exceptional and I think that is the quality of our side, we’re pretty well balanced, we just have to put it together.”
Sunday’s match was Schutt’s 100th WBBL outing, having been one of the inaugural Strikers and snaring 87 wickets across seven seasons.
It was a milestone she didn’t realise she was near, but was proud to have achieved.
“It’s pretty cool, I didn’t know what number I was on and (coach) Luke (Williams) surprised me this morning,” she said.
“It’s awesome for a fast bowler to get to 100 I think, fast is a loose term there, but it’s an incredible club, I will always play with the blue and I’m really proud to have represented 100 games.
“Hopefully I can get the 150, that’s the next milestone.”
The Strikers are now focused on their first game at home on Friday, October 21, again against the Sixers.
Schutt said the team can’t wait to play in front of their home fans at Karen Rolton Oval.
“We are looking forward to getting back out on KRO, the fans always turn out for us and it’s a great surface,” she said.
“We’ve had some cracking games of cricket there, so I think all of us are looking forward to getting home and hopefully putting on a show.”
The match against the Sixers starts at 2.55pm on Friday.
In a repeat of this weekend’s games, the Strikers will take on the Renegades on Monday, October 24, also at Karen Rolton Oval. Tickets to both games are available here.
