This article focuses on where the Perth Scorchers have gone wrong in the WBBL 06 and what corrective measures they can take to plug the holes.
Perth Scorchers are currently languishing at #7 in the points table with just 1 win from 4 completed games. There are clear and expected signs of over-reliance on Sophie Devine to deliver with the bat and ball, but she seems to be coming short in both the facets with the additional burden of captaincy.
FIXING THE TOP 4
When anyone looks at the squad that PS-W possess, the common answer to who the openers should be, will be Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney.
But going ahead with this duo, is always fraught with risk. Sophie Devine opens for New Zealand in the T20I format, and she has done exceedingly well. But her role as an opener in the national setup is a safe move considering the quality and experienced batters to follow. But this move can not be effective in a franchise based scenario where a team has quality, but inexperienced batters in the lineup.
The two best batters of the PS-W are the openers. What happens when one fails or both fail to get going (a scenario that they will face in quite a few games)? This is exactly what has happened and the middle-order has struggled to cope up.
Sophie Devine is that one of the few cricketers who can clear the boundary at will. She has the experience and she has the power game. Her batting at #3-#4 (depending upon the situation) makes a lot more sense.
Corrective measure:
Let Amy Jones open alongside Beth Mooney. Bolton comes in at #3 or Devine comes in at #3 if PS-W lose their first after PP. Jones, in her short career has played as an opener for the most innings and has had success at that position as well.
THE DEATH-OVERS ISSUE WITH THE BAT
PS-W has a shocking record when it comes to finishing off well in the last 5 overs. The reason is again simple and it circles around the batting order yet again. With Mooney and Devine opening, none of the two manages to last beyond the 15-over mark barring Mooney who has just survived once.
This leads to immense pressure on the other batters to do the finishing role where they not only need to get runs, but get them quickly. As a result of that, PS-W has the most shocking record while batting in the death overs in this WBBL. They have lost a staggering 15 wickets in just 14.4 overs that they have faced at the death.
Corrective measure:
Fixing it requires the same thing as mentioned in the first point. You need an experienced head being present right till the end to provide that push and this makes Devine’s case of batting in the middle-order even more stronger.
EFFECTIVE UTLIZATION OF BOWLERS
Taneale Peschel – Peschel did fairly well last year with 9 wickets, but the average was 30+ with the ball. She is at her effective best when she’s given the new ball. This year, she is the joint-leading wicket-taker along with Glenn and the key reason behind her success is that she’s been given at least one over in the PP.
Ideal utilization – Open the bowling with her and give her 3 overs front up. Finish the remaining 1 at anytime before the death overs.
Nicole Bolton – Bolton is a very handy bowler *if used properly. Match-ups become the key for her and PS-W has made a huge mistake with that. Following are the overs given to Bolton against batters who are extremely fierce against RAO.
Ideal utilization – Could be used at anytime, but match-ups are the key.
LACK OF PENETRATION IN THE MIDDLE-OVERS
The middle-over issues for the PS-W with the ball are like no other teams. To think that they have got only 2 wickets in the 36 overs in the middle phase is beyond belief. Sarah Glenn is very important, but the teams look to be playing her out and attacking other bowlers. Match-ups yet again become the key. Devine conceded runs at 15 per over and Bolton at 10 per over in this phase, which is not helping to keep the opposition down and building pressure with tight bowling.
Corrective measure:
Using Glenn in the PP has been a great move by the PS-W and should look to continue doing so. The remaining 2-3 overs should continue being utilized in this middle-overs phase.
Squeezing out a couple of overs from Jemma Barsby/King in the middle could work well with Graham and Clearly being given more overs than what they are being given. Cleary has just bowled 2 overs in the middle phase so far and heavily under-utilized.
One massively recommended change is the inclusion of Georgia Wyllie who can add a much needed variety to the side and can add an extra batting option as well. Emma King can be looked upon as well in place of Jemma Barsby.
*Note – Stats do not include some of the rain-curtailed games
Cricket Strategist 