WBBL young guns have selectors thinking

Never before have the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars selectors had such an opportunity to assess the wealth of talent in Australia's domestic ranks before choosing an international squad as they have this summer.

The Rebel Women's Big Bash League has not only pitted the world's best female players against each other and offered opportunities to young players looking to rise up the ranks of Australian cricket, it's done so in front of record crowds and through the lenses of television cameras.

It's a dream scenario for Southern Stars coach Matthew Mott, who along with his fellow selectors has been keeping a close eye on the tournament.

The Southern Stars squad to play India in a series of one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals this month is expected to be announced next week, and Mott said the performances from a number of rising stars would make for some robust discussion when the selectors meet in Melbourne this weekend.

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Thunder young guns Naomi Stalenberg and Lauren Cheatle, Renegades spinner Molly Strano and Hurricanes batter and dynamo fielder Corinne Hall are among those who have thrust their hands up with impressive WBBL campaigns to date.

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Stalenberg's big-hitting talents, including knocks of 42 from 23 balls and 37 off 15, and Cheatle's left-arm pace that's captured 19 wickets have particularly attracted Mott's attention.

"I reckon there're been some names up there that wouldn't be household names but who we've had an eye on for a while," Mott told cricket.com.au.

"We've had selectors at every WBBL game and we've got to see every player.

"Young Naomi Stalenberg from the Thunder has done well so far, she had a great WNCL final as well and we're certainly watching her progress.

"There's a few times she's scored 40 off 20 balls and that's what we're looking for as a way to take Twenty20s forward.

"We're looking for batters to push the envelope, we're trying to get our par score up which has been around the 120 mark internationals for a while and we're trying to push the boundaries to make 135 to 140 our minimum benchmark. So players like that certainly come into calculations.

"Cheatle has also been exceptional with the ball all season."

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While the Southern Stars' No.1 world ranking and Women’s Ashes series victory in England last year means selectors will be reluctant to tinker with a winning formula, Mott said choosing the one-day and T20 teams to play India would be no easy task.

"There will be some strong discussion, we've made it no secret we're a bit disappointed with the way we lost the actual Twenty20 component of the Ashes," he said.

"So there are certainly spots up for grabs.

"We expect our contracted players to be available but if there are injuries players can come in and do well.

"We saw Grace Harris do that during the Ashes, she came in and took her opportunity straight away."

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Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning agreed with coach Mott.

"Absolutely, I think a tournament like this does create opportunities for someone to come out and have a blistering tournament and put their name up," Lanning told cricket.com.au.

"I've seen a lot of good performances from players outside the CA contracted list, so it shows there's great depth in Australian cricket and there's a lot of talent coming through.

"If you have a really good time in the WBBL, there's every chance you'll be looked at for the T20 World Cup."

While there have been young guns impressing in the WBBL, many of Australia's stars have also been in fine fettle.

Lanning started the tournament with a bang for the Melbourne Stars, scoring 90 and 75 not out, and was impressive again with an unbeaten 77 against the Renegades last weekend.

Grace Harris blasted the first – and still only – WBBL century and has also impressed with the ball, while veteran batter Alex Blackwell was averaging 83.33 for the Sydney Thunder ahead of the weekend's action.

Heat allrounder Jess Jonassen has 10 wickets to go with her two fifties, while seamers Rene Farrell (Thunder) and Holly Ferling (Heat) have each collected 16 and 15 wickets respectively.

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The first T20 against India will be played two days after the WBBL final, kicking off a busy period for the Southern Stars.

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Following their three T20s and three ODIs against India, they pack their bags for a tour of New Zealand, before they aim to win a fourth-straight Women's World T20 crown in India in March.

Perfecting the XI to bring home the coveted crown means Mott and co. will have plenty more work to do before the summer is out.

"We won't name that World Twenty20 squad for a while, so there's plenty of cricket left for players to impress," Mott said.

"We're looking to keep it as open as we can but we also have to keep a bit of continuity, so when we finish this segment against India at home we want a pretty clear plan for New Zealand."