The race for last four spots is heating up in the first-ever standalone Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers have confirmed their spots for the semi-finals while Perth Scorchers are closer to booking one. But who said the WBBL is exclusively about cricket? Here are a few more off-the-field bits that also had their own share of the limelight:
Up for the Zinc challenge?
It was a headband challenge that grabbed headlines in the fourth season of WBBL. Sophie Devine was the one who started it and many players followed it with their very own headbands that was quite a rage. This year Devine has come up with Zinc challenge. The big-hitting allrounder is seen sporting the blue zinc in sync with the Strikers' blue jersey. Devine is wearing the Zinc for charitable purposes as $100 will be donated to Cancer Council, the official charity partner. Devine has challenged the players from the opposing teams and promised to give $100 if they sported it.
Humans' fear of spiders, snakes or even cockroaches is not unheard of; but a fear of avocado? Yes, you read it right. The fruit has brought fear in Dane van Niekerk's mind after she was struck by 'avocado hand'. While making dinner with her wife and Sydney Sixers' team-mate Marizanne Kapp, she injured her left hand after the knife slipped while she was chopping the avocado. As a result she had a one centimetre-deep wound on her left hand, which had to be stitched. The leg-spinner’s left hand was strapped and she had to watch Sixers' narrow defeat to Renegades from the sidelines. The end result is that Kapp is now on "avocado duty".
It's tough being a teenager and tougher when you are playing any form of sport and have to give exams simultaneously. Hannah Darlington, Rachel Trenaman and Phoebe Litchfield, the teenagers, had to juggle between playing and giving exams. Darlington had her class 12 English exam before the opening match of WBBL 05. She had Shakespeare on her mind as she was preparing to bowl to Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry. Litchfield then took a break to finish her class 10 exams while Trenaman appeared for her HSC exams before coming back to feature in the Thunder side.
Smithy's Insta trouble
Emily Smith, Hobart Hurricanes' wicketkeeper-batter, posted the official playing XI for their clash against Sydney Thunder on November 2 on Instagram an hour before the official announcement. Smith was naturally chuffed that she was in it and she posted it. She wasn't aware of the consequences. Cricket Australia, known for taking strict measures, did not take this act kindly. Smith was handed one year ban from playing any form of cricket with immediate effect.
Sophie Molineux, the allrounder from Melbourne Renegades, has taken an indefinite break from cricket to focus on her mental health and well-being. The issue of mental health is being widely discussed around the world with many players opting to take some time away from the high pressure environment of a professional cricket team. Nicole Bolton took a break and came back rejuvenated and we hope Molineux, the talented spin bowling allrounder, too, comes back stronger than before.
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