The Big Bash influence on show at the World Cup

Looking at the Australia versus South Africa scorecard, you can only describe it as comprehensive.

Meg Lanning was sublime and to chase 271 with nearly five overs to spare says a lot about the class of the Australian batting group, especially given that Ellyse Perry didn’t bat.

But there is still a lot to like about the South African team, who I believe are a top four side in this World Cup.

Their improvement as a team since the last tournament in 2017 has been very good.

They had not played Australia in an ODI across that period – yet Australia have played a significant role in their development (and that of other countries!).

How? The Women's Big Bash League.

 

The WBBL has helped many young Australian players make a name for themselves – just look at Annabel Sutherland, who was a 15-year-old debutant for the Melbourne Renegades and has gone on to represent her country – and has had a significant impact on the depth of the national side.

But the WBBL has also played a role in the development of other countries, and I believe South Africa are a good example of this.

Mignon Du Preez, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail have been regulars since the WBBL started, and over more recent iterations we have seen the likes of Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt (main picture), Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk and Anneke Bosch all get their opportunity.

There are a few reasons why the WBBL is making international teams better.

More cricket: The WBBL is a 14-game competition, and for players coming from South Africa that means additional domestic cricket against elite international talent. This cricket is also happening at a time that they aren’t playing international cricket so, it becomes quality additional cricket and is worthwhile time away from home.

Conditions: The wickets produced for WBBL are of a high standard and good for batting (the majority of the time). These wickets are the benchmark for big tournaments across the world, and the ability to make runs and take wickets on these surfaces is hugely beneficial.

We can see that in the current World Cup, with big team and individual totals from a batting perspective, but with bowlers also being able to extract good pace and bounce along with spin.

 

The intel: Not only do players get a look at the current Australians by playing in the WBBL, but they also play with or against the next crop of young players and the best international players from across the world. Across the seven WBBL tournaments to date we have seen the likes of Katherine Brunt and Heather Knight from England, Hayley Matthews and Stephanie Taylor from the West Indies, Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma from India along with Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine form New Zealand – and there are many more.

The chance to be a part of team meetings and planning sessions, working out how to combat these stars with their teammates would be invaluable. No doubt some of these tactics are in play during this World Cup.

 

The product: One of the impressive parts of the WBBL has been the ‘WBBL product’: the broadcast, the fireworks, on-field interviews, players being mic'd up, et cetera. These experiences make it easier when you get to big tournaments, even for things as simple as handling the delays in the game.

I remember when we first started playing broadcast matches, as a spinner trying to get through overs quickly it was frustrating to be stopped by the umpire when you were about to bowl to wait for the broadcast. While it seems like something small, those little things can make you feel like you lose your momentum. Having those experiences before getting to international tournaments is helpful.

Standard of play: I might come across like a WBBL fan (because I am), but the standard of play for what is essentially a domestic T20 competition is as close to international cricket as you are going to get. I think we will be talking about The Hundred in the same way in coming seasons – it is another domestic competition of a high standard and will no doubt have an impact on the development of the England side and other countries.

The WBBL and The Hundred (and eventually a women's Indian Premier League) will continue to be critical to the women’s game evolving and unveiling the next generation of superstars.

But right now, the Big Bash is playing a role in the quality cricket we are seeing at this World Cup.

I would love to see South Africa in the finals and based on the cricket they have played, they deserve that. And I'm sure a lot of WBBL fans are hoping for this as much as I am.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: Beat South Africa by five wickets

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 9am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park, Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports