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Young guns: Kristen Beams names her 21 and under side

Former Australia spinner Kristen Beams names her best XI of future stars from WBBL|07

With the spotlight on the unofficial and official WBBL07 Teams of the Tournament, I thought I’d throw a different spin on it and look at the young guns of WBBL07 and the impact they had for their clubs.

One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of young talent and it blows my mind to think that these players could be still dominating in WBBL|22.

These players are all 21 and under and have all played key roles for their respective clubs.

WBBL|07 Young Guns XI (aged 21 or under)

Jemimah Rodrigues (Melbourne Renegades)

M: 12 | Inns: 12 | Runs: 317 | Ave: 28.81 | SR: 116 | HS: 75* | 50s: 2

Her power through and over the off side has been a feature in WBBL|07. She brings so much energy, whether it be running between wickets or out in the field. She has been so enjoyable to watch with her stroke play (I could watch that shot over cover on repeat) and always has a smile on her face.

Rodrigues stuns Heat attack with speedy fifty

Josie Dooley (Melbourne Renegades)

M: 12 | Inns: 7 | Runs: 110 | Ave: 18.33 | SR: 110 | HS: 75* | Ct: 7 | St: 4

Dooley is the chosen keeper in my young gun team, and her ability to bat anywhere in the line up has been a feature in WBBL|07 as we've seen her open as well as bat in the middle order. She hits to different pockets, making her difficult to bowl to and every captain and coach wants a player who can be versatile and play different roles like Dooley. 

Georgia Voll (Brisbane Heat)

M: 13 | Inns: 13 | Runs: 262 | Ave: 23.81 | SR: 116.44 | HS: 48* | 50s: 0

Voll has complimented the Harris and Redmayne combination at the top of the Heat's order beautifully. She has been able to come in when they get off to a flyer and keep the momentum going by being able to find the rope, but it’s her ability to go over the rope that has been very more impressive. For a young player, she seems completely at ease at WBBL level.  

Phoebe Litchfield (Sydney Thunder)

M: 13 | Inns: 13 | Runs: 263 | Ave: 21.91 | SR: 109.12 | HS: 49 | 50s: 0

It was a tough season for the Thunder but I loved seeing Litchfield bat at three. As usual, there was some great stroke play from Litchfield, from being technically correct and driving the ball to the reverse sweep. She has a good all-round game and her work in the outfield also deserves a mention, with the runs she saves in the field just as valuable as the runs she scores with the bat.

Maddie Penna (Adelaide Strikers)

M: 11 | Inns: 7 | Runs: 114 | Ave: 22.80 | SR: 116.32 | HS: 56* | 50s: 1

She hits a long ball, making her perfect for the middle order in my team. She seems unfazed by the situation of the game and sticks to her strengths. In the field, we've also seen some very good catches from her in WBBL|07 as well.

Courtney Webb (Melbourne Renegades)

M: 9 | Inns: 9 | Runs: 144 | Ave: 16.00 | SR: 100 | HS: 46 | 50s: 0

Wkts: 9 | Ave: 19.00 | Econ: 7.43 | BBI: 3-21 | SR: 15.3 | 4wi: 0

Webb has developed into a genuine allrounder for the Renegades after being a standout fielder and middle-order batter in previous seasons. She is now a reliable No.3 batter and a bowler with really good changes of pace... and she’s still a great fielder!

Ruth Johnson (Hobart Hurricanes)

M: 13 | Inns: 13 | Runs: 214 | Ave: 16.46 | SR: 95 | HS: 63 | 50s: 1

Wkts: 13 | Ave: 17.38 | Econ: 6.13 | BBI: 4-8 | SR: 17.0 | 4wi: 1

Johnson was a revelation in WBBL|07 for the Hurricanes and we saw her feature at the top of the line-up and also in the middle order. Her confidence to play her natural game despite the situation of the game was a highlight for me. With the ball she was so effective hitting a hard length and she became a go-to for captain Rachel Priest which makes her tournament economy of only 6.13 even more impressive.

Hannah Darlington (Sydney Thunder) – captain

M: 13 | Wkts: 16 | Ave: 20.75 | Econ: 6.38 | BBI: 3-21 | SR: 19.5 | 4wi: 0

Darlington did a great job as skipper of the Thunder. It is never easy to be a captain, let alone a young captain and a bowling captain. Her 16 wickets at an economy under seven is the definition of leading by example. She was always bowling the toughest overs and her execution under pressure was a feature of her campaign.

Courtney Sippel (Brisbane Heat)

M: 8 | Wkts: 12 | Ave: 15.25 | Econ: 6.53 | BBI: 3-25 | SR: 14.0 | 4wi: 0

Sippel bowled some of the balls of the tournament and it was all about the swing! Bowling a lot of Powerplay overs, she managed to pick up lots of wickets and go at under seven runs an over. She continues to develop into a key bowler for the Heat by picking up the biggest names in the competition, like Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachel Priest and Laura Wolvaardt, just to name a few.

Lily Mills (Perth Scorchers)

M: 13 | Wkts: 12 | Ave: 12.81 | Econ: 6.83 | BBI: 4-25 | SR: 11.2 | 4wi: 1

Spin to win for the Scorchers! Off-spinner Mills, in combination with leg-spinner Alana King, has been so effective in WBBL|07. Mills is a great example of a young player taking their opportunity, she's taken 16 wickets and we’ve seen captain Sophie Devine throw her the ball when the game is on the line.

Darcie Brown (Adelaide Strikers)

M: 12 | Wkts: 15 | Ave: 18.46 | Econ: 6.44 | BBI: 3-19 | SR: 17.2 | 4wi: 0

She has picked up where she left off from WBBL|06 and there is so much to like about Adelaide's Brown and Megan Schutt new-ball combination. With pace and swing, she looked dangerous every time she had the ball in her hand. Considering the speed at which she bowls, an economy of 6.44 is very good and her 15 wickets have been a significant factor in the Strikers being a top-four team.

Hat-trick! Brown destroys the Heat in Launceston

I can’t wait to see some of these young guns dominate the WBBL|07 finals and many, many future competitions! 


WBBL Finals

The Eliminator: Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat | Adelaide Oval | November 24, 6.40pm local (7.10pm AEDT)

The Challenger: Melbourne Renegades v TBC | Adelaide Oval | November 25, 6.40pm local (7.10pm AEDT)

The Final: Perth Scorchers v TBC | Optus Stadium | November 27 at 4.10pm local (7.10pm AEDT)

Grab your tickets or tune in on the Seven Network, Fox Cricket, Kayo, the CA Live app or listen on ABC radio