Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers star opener Beth Mooney has capped off another sensational Weber Women’s Big Bash League campaign, becoming the first player in the history of the competition to reach 4,000 runs.
Mooney was selected to open in the Team of the Tournament after another standout effort with the bat, scoring 434 runs to solidify her position as the highest run-scorer of the WBBL|08 regular season.
Mooney was also named in the Australian Women’s Squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series in India, joining her is teammate Alana King, who took 16 wickets during WBBL|08, the most by a Scorcher over the season.
After an outstanding title-winning season with the Scorchers last year, King has become a mainstay in the national side over the past 12 months, making her Test, ODI, T20I debuts in the space of three weeks in 2022.
King played a vital role in Australia’s successful World Cup campaign, picking up 12 wickets in nine matches as the national side won back the trophy, defeating England by 71 runs in the final.
Sadly, the Scorchers last game of the WBBL|08 over the weekend also marked the end of Head Coach Shelley Nitschke’s tenure in the role, with the respected mentor now solely focused on duties as Head Coach of the Australia Women’s team.
Nitschke was at the helm when Perth won their maiden WBBL championship in 2021-22, achieving the feat against Adelaide Strikers in front of a record crowd of 15,511 at Optus Stadium.
The South Australian native guided Perth to 22 wins from 39 completed games, and fostered a welcoming culture that empowered players to express themselves on and off the field.
Reflecting on Nitschke’s impact at the Club, Perth Scorchers General Manager — High Performance Kade Harvey said:
“We’re incredibly grateful for Shelley’s efforts over the last three years.
“She led by example, worked exceptionally hard, and was determined to help our players reach their full potential as individuals and a unit.
“It’s clear how unified the squad was under Shelley, particularly during WBBL|07, when we achieved the long-term objective of winning our first WBBL title.
“I have no doubt she’ll flourish with the Australia Women’s team, and wish her all the best moving forward.”
