Backing each other in tough times has been key for turnaround, says Delissa Kimmince  

“After that opening Perth game where we obviously started well and then few games washed out killed that momentum we might have got from that first game,” Kimmince told reporters on Tuesday (November 24). “I think the Thunder game which went down to five overs, we probably lost our way a little bit.

“I think the batters bit of lost some confidence from that innings but I think from then the way we have been turned it around, we have been mix and match a little bit. But still, come up with the wins is quite pleasing,” she added.

The Jess Jonassen-led side started with a win over Perth Scorchers before their next two games were washed out. Resuming again Heat lost consecutively four times before producing a stunning comeback registering back-to-back seven wins to shock everyone.

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“I think we were playing pretty good cricket, we probably weren’t winning those one or two overs within the game,” the 31-year-old said when asked about what transpired the turnaround. “We were close but we were falling short by one big over or letting one big over the slide in the bowling innings.

“But apart from that, we knew that we were on the right track. We knew that our plans were right, we just had to keep backing ourselves. That’s what we have done in the last seven games.” “We haven’t panicked in those moments when things could have hit the fan and we have lost an early wicket,” Kimmince explained.

“But we have had people go out there and steady the ship with the bat and then the bowlers just backing one another and same with the fielders. I think when we are doing that and enjoying our cricket, we have been able to come up with the results.”

On her own performance, Kimmince has been highly successful in opening the bowling and giving the early breakthroughs on a consistent basis picking up nine wickets in the last 10 games. “I do what’s needed. We have done a lot of planning, meeting and we are trying to do what we think the best matchups are,” she added.

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“I have been lucky that in the last few games I was able to pick up early wickets. It’s nice to get that new ball when the ball is till swinging, I am happy to go out there and play my role. I probably haven’t executed in this tournament but picking up key wickets in crucial times has really changed the momentum for us,” added the right-arm medium-fast.

She also spoke about Laura Kimmince’s form with the bat and Jonassen’s leadership.  “It’s nice to see her do it in a game. It’s very hard for a bowler to bowl when you don’t know where she is hitting. She is reversing spinners, she is reversing pacers, and then she has also got the power to go over the top of the fielders as well. We get to see it day in day out at training, so it’s really nice to see her come out in games and do it for us,” she said.

Speaking on her skipper, Kimmince opined, “I think JJ has been doing a great job. She would want us to go out there come back with different plans. She is calm out there. I know she would just come out to me and say ‘just get your plans right’. She has taken some really big wickets with the ball and also some hits when she is batting. We really want to see her in that way taking the charge out there.”

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Asked how she rates their semifinal opponents, Kimmince was honest to take a few names. “They have always been a quality side. Heather Knight is probably one of their key batters in terms of leading the charge. I guess then Sammy-Jo coming in the middle, we know how dangerous she can be.

“Obviously Rach Haynes has been hitting the ball well. We need to go out there clear, stick to our plans.  And they have an outstanding bowling attack in Ismail, Betts, Sammy-Jo, Hannah Darlington and a few younger girls. I think it’s who can hold their nerve best on Thursday night,” Kimmince concluded.