Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
With the Ashes just around the corner, UK-bound South Australian’s have had the best preparation possible with thanks to SACA’s Karen Rolton Oval ground staff ensuring the players were able to train on turf wickets in the lead up.
Our six Scorpions Aussies – Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Courtney Webb and Kate Peterson – and Redback Alex Carey used the wickets prior to departing to the UK.
SACA’s Grounds Manager Trent Kelly said whilst it wasn’t without its challenges, it was really worthwhile ahead of two massive series.
“Considering the magnitude of what they were getting prepared for – the Ashes for both the men’s and the women’s – we felt it was really important that we got the facilities up for them so they had the best preparation possible,” Kelly said.
“It’s a positive step forward to be able to do something like this for the men and women so they don’t have to go up North to prepare and they’re able to spend as much time as possible at home before they go away.
“The biggest challenges we encountered mainly was the weather – cooler temperatures, higher rainfall makes it really hard to get the cricket pitches hard, plus the grass stops growing.
“We started everything about three weeks earlier than we usually would and there was more time involved but we felt it was important in this case.”
Wellington said it was amazing to have the opportunity to train on turf in the lead up to such an important series, especially as a spinner.
“It’s pretty incredible that we got turf wickets in May, a massive shout out to the groundies – they’ve done an incredible job,” Wellington said.
“We always talk about how turf wickets are much better than indoor, condition wise it’s so much different – the way your body reacts to bowling indoors, it’s harder bowling on cement and the bounce is different.
“Coming out to turf wickets, you can actually see the ball spin, you can see how high its bouncing and how low it’s not and then adjust to that.
“Plus being able to field on the ground and bowl with the Dukes in the nets, it’s a massive tick for our preparation and we’re good to go.”
Wellington said all six Scorpions – and Scorpions and Australia A coach Luke Williams – are feeling really confident ahead of the UK tour.
“The way that Courtney Webb was hitting them in the nets the other day was outstanding, she’s in some good form coming off really good WNCL performances,” she said.
“You’ve got Kate Peterson bowling deadly in the nets, you’ve got Darcie Brown bowling so many bouncers, you got Megan swinging them all over the place, Tahlia doing Tahlia things.
“They all look in real good stead and we’re really, really excited to see how we all go over there in the UK.”
Wellington, Webb and Peterson will begin their Aussie A matches this Thursday with a four-day game, before playing three T20’s (June 22, 24 and 26) and three One Day matches (June 28 and 30 and July 2).
The Ashes featuring McGrath, Schutt and Brown will get underway with a Test Match (June 22-26) before three T20’s (July 2, 6 and 9) and three ODI’s (July 12, 16 and 18).
