Early signs the WACA Ground wicket will take some turn again this season is a boost for Western Australia’s women’s team and its spin-loaded bowling attack.
WA picked just two seamers, teenager Chloe Ainsworth and medium-pacer Zoe Britcliffe for its defeat to Tasmania on Tuesday.
But Lilly Mills took a maiden one-day five-wicket haul and off-spinner Amy Edgar took two wickets as they bowled the three-time reigning champions out for 220.
An ACL injury to swing bowler Piepa Cleary on the eve of the season was a significant blow, then Taneale Peschel, who has battled back issues this pre-season, was not cleared for the opening game.
Peschel remains in WA’s squad for the double-header, but is in serious doubt for Thursday’s meeting.
The WACA wasn’t tipped to offer as much spin as it did last year, but the first look at the venue this season now indicates WA’s slow bowlers will be suited to the deck.
“It was nice the way that they came out today and sometimes you’re on the right side of the wickets,” Mills said.
“It just goes to show that from a bowling perspective we are very adaptable and we have that depth, especially when it comes to spin. Spin to win I guess.
“It suits my bowling, I try and bowl pretty similar to Rocc (men’s spinner Corey Rocchiccioli), so bowl quite traditionally, but for other spinners, if you give it a bit of a rip you get a bit of purchase out of the surface and then obviously that extra bounce that the girls aren’t used to, especially coming from the east.
“From a spin perspective sometimes bounce is as important as sideways movement.”
WA is also without leg-spinner Alana King, who is on international duty, but spinning allrounder Bhavi Devchand is another option in their squad.