Don't mind losing while playing aggressive cricket, says Stars pacer Holly Ferling

Melbourne Stars seamer Holly Ferling feels that despite the thrilling super over loss to their city rivals Melbourne Renegades, the Stars are proud of the brand of cricket they have played in the tournament so far.



Speaking after the match, Ferling said that the batters will continue to take an aggressive approach as they have done throughout the tournament. "It's our blueprint. If we go down in a game like that, then we are happy because we were aggressive," she told the reporters on Sunday (November 15).



She said it is something head coach Trent Woodhill and the team management have decided and worked on from the beginning of WBBL06. "Trent Woodhill is amazing as a coach as well. He fully supports you to back yourself and play with freedom. He has said to us from the start that if we play that brand of cricket and we win eight and lose six by a long way, then so be it."



ALSO READ: Courtney Webb heroics bring Stars down in a thriller; Heat hand Hurricanes a hiding



Defending 165, the Renegades were en route to victory with the help of a half-century from Courtney Webb. They needed 11 runs in the last two overs. However, the Stars bowlers Natalie Sciver and Tess Flintoff kept it tight and took the game to a super over.

🚨 SUPER OVER 🚨

With scores tied at 165 each, it took 12 balls to break the deadlock between the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars in a @WBBL classic #WBBL06 pic.twitter.com/xNUnb8nbmM



— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 15, 2020

Ferling said that the Stars could be proud of the way they fought till the end. "They (Renegades) really should have beaten us in the 18th or 19th over. We just fought our way back into the game, and I think it really shows what this team is all about," Ferling added.



Applauding the efforts of 17-year-old Flintoff, who gave away just seven runs in the last over, Ferling said that the teenage sensation has kept her plans simple, "which is, just run in, bowl full, and hit the stumps."



"T20 is such a batters game and a lot of times we forget that we are the ones with a ball in our hands, we are ones executing, we make them have to change. I think that's something that she has done really well over the course of this whole tournament so far."



ALSO READ: Gritty Tegan McPharlin underlines value to Adelaide Strikers



Speaking about the batting performance of Alana King who smashed 27 off just 12 balls, Ferling said that she knew King could hit the ball long from the net sessions they have had. "We knew that she (King) had that in her, and she just needed it in the right spot. She was always going to that boundary. Her method is to swing through the ball and make good contact and hope it goes all the way," she said.

Alana King goes aaaalllll the way! #WBBL06 pic.twitter.com/wMlnpHPOmX

— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 15, 2020

Ferling, who took two wickets giving away 21 runs in her three overs, said that coming on the back of a full pre-season, she is happy with her performance so far. "As opposed to coming into a season underdone, I am really happy with where I am and what I am doing."



"To be able to come in here confidently, and really feel good about the work that I have put in over the last six months, or even extending further from that, I am really proud of where I am at."



ALSO READ: Focus is on winning the remaining games, not thinking too far ahead: Georgia Redmayne



She said that she is grateful for the support she had received from the Stars over the years. With the bench strength they have this season, Ferling believes that the side are reaping the rewards for the work they all put in through the pre-season.



"We have got such a strong line-up. I guess that just shows today with Katherine Brunt being rested. We have got the luxury. The amount of work we have put in at the front end of the season allows us that opportunity to make sure that we are able to rotate players and get everyone through because it is such a condensed schedule."



The 24-year-old said that the loss would not "rattle" them and that it is an opportunity for them to get some rest and come back fresh for their next game.



"We just start out now for the back end of the season. It's gonna come quick. We have got a day off and another two games, a couple of days off and another couple of games. Now, we are ready and we can't wait," she concluded.