Over the years the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) has witnessed some extraordinary performances through stellar spells, from dismantling the batting lineups with explosive pace to spinning a web through crafty spin leaving an incredible mark in WBBL’s history. In this article, we will go through the top five best bowling figures in the Women’s Big Bash league so far.
Best bowling figures in the Women’s Big Bash League:
Megan Schutt – 6/19 (Adelaide Strikers)
It was during the eighth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League, that Megan Schutt recorded the best bowling figures in the history of WBBL. The Australian pacer claimed a six-fer in that edition against Sydney Thunder. Adelaide strikers were defending a total of 144 against the Thunder. Rattling Phoebe Litchfield’s stumps, Megan Schutt provided the opening breakthrough for Strikers. Her second wicket came in the form of Sammy Jo Johnson and next handed a golden duck to Hannah Darlington. Her fourth wicket of that of Chloe Tryon and it was in the last over Megan Schutt dismissed Lauren Smith to claim a fifer & went on to dismiss Samantha Bates to record the first-ever six-fer in the history of WBBL as well as the best bowling figures, finishing with figures of 6/19. Megan Schutt ran through the Sydney Thunder’s line-up, also receiving the player of the match for her outstanding spell.
Amanda-Jade Wellington – 5/8 (Adelaide Strikers)
Number two on the list is Strikers’ spinner Amanda Jade Wellington. It was during the seventh edition of the season that Strikers were facing the Brisbane Heat in the Eliminator. Brisbane Heat was put into bat first and Wellington’s first wicket came in the form of Grace Harris which was followed by Mikayla Hinkley in the same over for a two-ball duck. Her third wicket came in the form of Brisbane heat skipper – Jess Jonassen. Amanda-Jade dismissed Laura Harris and Georgia Voll in the eleventh over, completing her fifer, and finished with figures of 5/8 (4). Her spell put the Strikers on the driving seat who eventually registered an 8-wicket victory.
Amanda-Jade Wellington – 5/8 (Adelaide Strikers)
It was in the eighth edition of the WBBL when Amanda-Jade Wellington ran through the Melbourne Renegades batting lineup through her crafty spin. Strikers had elected to field first against the Renegades in the 17th match of the following season. In the fifth over of the Powerplay, Wellington dismissed the dangerous opener Hayley Mathews to bag her first for the game. Later, she dismissed Eric Kershaw, dismantling her stumps and in the final over of the innings, she sent back Georgia Prestwidge followed by Ella Hayward and Shabnim Ismail’s packing. She finished with figures of 5/8 in 3.5 overs also receiving the Player of the Match for playing a vital role in Strikers’ thumping win over Renegades.
Lucy Hamilton – 5/8 (Brisbane Heat)
Representing the Brisbane Heat, Lucy Hamilton is fourth on the list of registering the best bowling figures in WBBL history. The left-arm pacer claimed a record-breaking fifer in the tenth edition of the WBBL against the Melbourne Stars. Melbourne Stars were put into bat first and didn’t lose a single wicket in the first four overs. 18-year-old Hamilton provided the first breakthrough in the fifth over after sailing the stumps of capped internationals Yastika Bhatia, followed by Annabel Sutherland in the same over. Later on, she dismissed the legendary Meg Lanning, followed by Tess Flintoff being her fourth victim and Deepti Sharma her fifth, trapping her in front of the stumps. Following this, she became the youngest bowler (at 18 years 193 days) to claim a fifer. She finished with impressive figures of 5/8 in four overs including a maiden over and was rewarded with the player of the match for her record performance.
Hannah Darlington – 5/10 (Sydney Thunder)
After electing to bat first, Sydney Thunder were bowled out for a score of 125 against Melbourne Stars. Defending a small total, Hannah Darlington shattered the Stars’ top order. Darlington’s first wicket came in the form of Alice Capsey, followed by prized wickets of Annabel Sutherland and Meg Lanning in the eighth over. Her fourth wicket came in the form of Kim Garth and Maia Bouchier was her fifth victim. Darlington finished with figures of 5/10 (4), helping the Sydney Thunder register an unlikely victory over the Stars, and for her game changing spell was named the player of the match.
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