Despite starting the Premier Cricket season with a loss, the season looks bright for Plenty Valley women’s cricket team.
Having focused on bringing youth through the system in recent years, the Bats are hoping that it will reap the benefits onfield this season.
Bats’ Michael Sheedy said he was expecting the side to put in a big show.
Sheedy, who is the men’s coach, is one of several of the club’s male players who have stepped in to help the women’s teams this year.
“The girls are looking to be more competitive this year,” Sheedy said on Sunday before their match against Melbourne.
“There’s been a real push from the female part of the club to get young talent into the club in recent years.
“The country girls [who have come to the club] have matured and are continuing to get better.
“We had eight girls in pathway programs last season.”
In addition to the development of the squad, the Bats have added some top end talent to ease the pressure on captain and Victoria representative Kirsty Lamb.
English international Danni Wyatt will play for the Bats when not playing for Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades.
On Monday, Wyatt scored 84 for Victoria in its win over the ACT.
Another Englishwoman, Laura Crofts has also joined the Bats.
“This year we wanted to add some more top end talent,” Sheedy said.
“Laura has been a standout and has been brilliant since she has come out to Australia.
“Danni hasn’t missed a beat since coming out and been going everywhere with the girls.
“The experience of these two will help all the players.”
Sheedy said Lamb, who has shouldered much of the workload in recent times, would excel with Crofts and Wyatt at the club.
“Kirsty was thrown in the deep end last season,” he said.
“It’s still about learning for her and not having the depth around her had made that hard.
“We want her to be playing state cricket, which she hasn’t been able to do consistently.
“We’ve already seen from Saturday’s [game with Victoria] that her game has grown. It’s the first time she has been able to win a game off her own bat for Victoria.”
The Bats lost their opening match of the season on Sunday against Melbourne, with Lamb and Wyatt missing the game due to state commitments.
Batting first, the Bats were bowled out for 108.
Alexandra Price top scored with 21
Melbourne reached the target with ease having 22 overs and seven wickets to spare.
