The ongoing 8th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (W-BBL) now only has its big one, the Final in store due for the 26th of November (Saturday). The tournament this time around sees Ashleigh Gardner crowned as the player of the tournament, while Melbourne Stars’ Tess Flintoff has been named as the edition’s best young player.
25-year-old, Ashleigh Gardner after a disappointing previous season, turned up to the tournament in fine form this summer with both, bat and ball having registered 339 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 153 and bagging 23 wickets to finish as the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Adelaide Strikers’ Megan Schutt.
The spin all-rounder happens to be the first Australian since the 04 edition to win the Player of the Season award as it previously was India’s Harmanpreet Kaur last summer, while Sophie Devine in prior seasons claimed the tag in successive seasons.
In Sydney Sixers’ finishing at the top of the points table, Ashleigh Gardner undoubtedly had a major influence on the results and following her consistent contributions throughout the seasons, standing umpires at each match have voted for the Player of the Tournament award in her recognition. She’s leant to have picked 33 votes, while Brisbane Heat’s Amelia Kerr on 25 votes and Perth Scorchers’ Beth Mooney and Adelaide Strikers’ Megan Schutt tied for third with 21 votes each followed in the race.
Shawn Flegler, national selector, early this week, on Ashleigh Gardner’s play commented, “It was an outstanding season from Ash from both bat and ball. I think she’s the fittest she’s ever been as well. She took some time off after the Commonwealth Games to come back and have a little bit of a break, work on her fitness and her game, and it’s just gone to another level. She’s worked really hard on her game for a number of years and now she’s seeing those results.”
The best young player award for this season has Tess Flintoff’s name etched and was selected by the national selector. Tess Flintoff this season scored 116 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 165.71 and bagged 4 wickets. The memorable outing of her from the edition is got to be none other than the record-breaking 16-ball-51* which happens to be the fastest ever in the tournament’s history.
Her athleticism too made turns, but unfortunately, in yet another attempt, her season was cut short last week when she injured her shoulder taking a diving outfield catch. With no major damage confirmed, she’s expected to return to playing for Victoria later in the season.
(Inputs sourced from cricket.com.au)