The first-ever Women’s Big Bash League has been a massive eye-opener for Plenty Valley captain Kirsty Lamb.
Lamb, a member of the Melbourne Renegades’ team in the inaugural competition, says the tournament has met all her expectations.
“It was very exciting and we couldn’t believe it was finished so quickly,” Lamb said on Sunday.
“We didn’t think it would be as big as it was. We normally just play in front of family and friends.
“We thought it would be [just] a little bigger than that – not playing in front of 12,000 people at the MCG and 14,000 at Etihad Stadium.”
The Renegades finished at the bottom of the ladder, with four wins for the tournament.
“We had a great team and a lot of talented players, who were shuffled around playing different positions than they’re used to,” Lamb said. “They [the coaches] were teaching us to play cricket differently.”
Lamb said the experience of playing with international players had shown her how far she has to go with her game.
“You can’t rely on your game as it is now,” she said. “You have international players who are playing 360 degrees around the pitch and bowling a variety of balls. We have to challenge ourselves to get better.”
Lamb is hoping to develop her game in England in the off-season, specifically to get variety into her bowling. “I have a stock ball and a slower ball. I need to have more confidence; bowling through the whole year is my aim,” she said. “I want to play in England and I’m talking to people over there. I have to be more consistent to play more for the Renegades.”
As well as learning more about her own game, the Plenty Valley captain made the most of the chance to learn from some of the world’s most experienced players.
“I learned so much in those six weeks and now it’s about filtering it and bringing back what I can to Plenty Valley,” she said.
“Rachel Priest is one I’ve learnt a lot from. She has played for New Zealand and her leadership and how she runs a team is something I’ve taken from her.”
Lamb has been back at the Bats for the past two rounds but hasn’t been able to take to the pitch due to rain.
“It’s been frustrating,” she said. “I didn’t play a lot with the Renegades and, when I did, I didn’t get a lot of opportunity to bat and bowl.
“I joked that I’m forgetting how to play a whole game; I haven’t done that for about two months.”
As for her Plenty Valley team, which has won two games this season, Lamb said players needed to continue to learn their roles and develop their game. The Bats play Prahran on Sunday in a T20 match.
