Quantcast

Backing processes the key: Mooney

After a slow start to the WBBL season, Heat opener Beth Mooney is going from strength to strength with the bat

Beth Mooney’s charge up the Rebel WBBL run-scoring charts doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon after another commanding performance at the crease, this time against Hobart Hurricanes.

The Brisbane Heat opener made an unbeaten 62 off just 43 deliveries at Blundstone Arena on Sunday and, with the two teams set to face off again tomorrow, will be chomping at the bit for another dominant display.

The knock was her third unbeaten half-century in a row. She has now made 229 runs since her last dismissal three games ago.

It’s been a stark turnaround in fortunes for the star of the Women’s Ashes T20 leg, having made just 83 runs across her first four WBBL|03 games in an indifferent start to the season.

Mooney masterclass guides Heat to big win

“I think it’s going well,” Mooney said in a post-match interview on cricket.com.au’s live stream. “I was off to a slow start at the start of the season, and the nature of T20 cricket is it can turn around like that.

“I think there’s always going to be people that get a bit worried when you’re not scoring any runs, but I think if your process stays the same and you believe in it, it’ll come off in the end.

“T20 is a pretty fickle game, so it comes off or it doesn’t, and you kind of have to live with the days that don’t and celebrate the days that do.”

For Mooney and the Heat, the past three matches have been well worth celebrating.

Match highlights: Thunder sneaks home in thriller

The Brisbane side was reeling after a 1-3 start to the season, with finals quickly slipping out of reach. They hit a low point on December 23, when they lost to Melbourne Renegades by 10 wickets after being bowled out for 66.

But with six days to stew on the deflating loss, the Heat came out with good resolve against Adelaide Strikers on December 29.

Led by Mooney’s unbeaten knock of 86 - she scored over 75 per cent of her team’s score – the Heat emphatically turned their fortunes around, defeating the Strikers by nine wickets.

The Heat repeated the dose two days later, posting an eight-wicket win as Mooney scored 81 not out.

After an eight-day break, the Heat showed against the Hurricanes their improvement was not just a flash in the pan.

“I’m really happy that it’s turned around for me, but also for the team in particularly,” Mooney said.

“That’s three in a row for us, so I think we’re on track for finals if we can keep this momentum going.

“It’s a common theme that’s going on, but I back this team to the hilt. Even if we don’t get off to a solid start with Kirby and I at the top, I think we’ve got some really world-class players in our batting line-up in Deandra Dottin, Delissa Kimmince and Jess Jonassen.

“I think, even if it comes down to the wire, I back those players to get us over the line if they need to.”

Perry stars for Sixers wtih unbeaten 91

Mooney – who has risen to third on the run-scorers tally with 312 for the season – is not the only WBBL player in the midst of a purple patch with the bat.

First-year Perth Scorchers captain Elyse Villani, who sits second with 346, has four half-centuries to her credit, with incredible knocks of 84 not out, 74 not out, 72 and 63. She was off to another flyer against Sydney Thunder today, but was stopped by player-of-the-match Rene Farrell for 22.

Rachael Haynes had a rare fail for the Thunder in that match, dismissed for just one run, but still has 291 runs to her credit, courtesy of four half-centuries, including a high of 78 not out.

Adelaide Strikers captain Suzie Bates has had a mixed year, highlighted by a century but also including returns of one and two. But solid scores in between sees her sitting fifth with 255.

Unsurprisingly, Sydney Sixers star Ellyse Perry leads all comers, with 370 runs to her credit. She has not consistently had the explosive, game-changing innings of her contemporaries – bar a brilliant unbeaten 91 in the season-opener, although that was overshadowed by an Ashleigh Gardner ton – but has been a steady and reliable source of runs for the Sixers.

The Heat and Hurricanes face off again on Monday at Blundstone Arena, while the Scorchers and Thunder also complete their double-header at the WACA on Monday.

Rebel WBBL leading run-scorers:

Ellyse Perry (Sixers) - 370

Elyse Villani (Scorchers) - 346

Beth Mooney (Heat) - 312

Rachael Haynes (Thunder) - 291

Suzie Bates (Strikers) - 255