Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has made a thrilling comeback to the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for the 2024 season, marking her return with a debut for the Adelaide Strikers. Mandhana has also expressed admiration for three standout players in the WBBL—two of whom are her Adelaide Strikers teammates, and the other is her Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate from the Women’s Premier League in India. Watch the video as Smriti reveals her top three WBBL players.
Having last played in the WBBL in 2021, Mandhana is known for her powerful batting and graceful style. Her return has sparked excitement among fans eager to see her performance with her new team, as she reveals her top three WBBL players:
1. Tahlia McGrath (Adelaide Strikers)
Tahlia McGrath, the captain of the Strikers, has been in excellent form, showcasing consistency with both the bat and the ball. In the ongoing WBBL 2024 season, McGrath has already accumulated 120 runs across four matches, with a season-best score of an unbeaten 64 against the Melbourne Renegades. Known for her versatile skills, McGrath has been a fixture for the Strikers since her debut in 2015. Across her 133 WBBL matches, she has tallied 2,247 runs and taken 84 wickets, making her a significant force on the field.
2. Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers)
Another player to earn Mandhana’s admiration is Megan Schutt, a seasoned bowler whose expertise has been vital to the Strikers. Schutt has taken five wickets in her four games so far, with her best performance being 2 for 27 against the Brisbane Heat. A consistent player over her 10 seasons with the Strikers, Schutt has played in 132 matches, capturing 142 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 5.92. Her best bowling figures of 6 for 19 stand as a testament to her bowling prowess and accuracy.
3. Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers)
A familiar name in the cricket world, Sydney Sixers captain Ellyse Perry has been leading the season’s batting charts. Perry has scored 300 runs in just a few matches, boasting an outstanding average of 100. Her top score this season came against the Hobart Hurricanes, where she smashed 86 runs. Perry has also contributed with the ball, picking up six wickets, including a stellar 2 for 21 against the Strikers. Her all-round capabilities are unmatched, and across 129 matches for the Sixers, she’s scored an impressive 4,565 runs and taken 70 wickets.
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This season with the Strikers marks Mandhana’s fourth WBBL team, having previously played for the Brisbane Heat (2016), Hobart Hurricanes (2018), and Sydney Thunder (2021). Her diverse experience across multiple teams brings a unique edge to the Strikers’ lineup. Known for her explosive batting and calm demeanor, Smriti’s entry into the Adelaide team is expected to further boost their prospects this season.
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