Australian coach Shelley Nitschke is adamant her gamers can refocus after the thrill and disappointment of an unprecedented evening for girls’s cricket with a World Cup to be received.
While star all-rounder Ash Gardner netted a monstrous payday within the inaugural Women’s Premier League public sale, bought for $558,000 as one in every of 14 Australians picked up, spinner Alana King was amongst those that missed out.
King was the one member of the 15-player squad making an attempt to win a 3rd consecutive T20 World Cup not picked up within the public sale after teen quick bowler Darcie Brown withdrew, with 9 of her teammates choosing up six-figure sums for what looms as a three-week competitors.
The mixed whole these 14 gamers are set to earn exceeds $2.4m, with contracts starting from Gardner on the high all the way down to Heather Graham and Erin Burns, the one Australian not on the World Cup to be picked up, bought for $52,000.
The public sale was held whereas the Australians had been coaching forward of their second pool recreation towards Bangladesh on Tuesday evening, and whereas some, together with Gardner, watched on their telephones, others selected to keep away from distraction.
Spinner Jess Jonassen, who was picked up late for $87,000, referred to as the day a “rollercoaster” and Nitschke mentioned whereas the thrill of the public sale couldn’t be ignored, there was a job to be finished in South Africa.
“The WPL is going to take the game to a different level, so it’s exciting for Australian cricket as it is for cricket all over the world,” she mentioned.
“I feel our women are enthusiastic about it, however they’re centered on the job at hand whereas we‘re here in South Africa as well.”
Nitschke lauded Gardner, the reigning Weber WBBL Player of the Year, who has turned into one of the world’s most damaging T20 all-rounders, as proven together with her five-wicket haul in Australia’s opening World Cup win over New Zealand.
“She delivers in three skills,” Nitschke mentioned.
“She’s been really important for us over the last 12 months to two years and even beyond that.
“But I think what we‘re finding of recent times is she’s really coming into her game and maturing as a cricketer and she plays a key role for us.
“It was fantastic to see her perform with the ball and (take) her career-best figures against New Zealand (on Saturday).
“So, I’m looking forward to seeing what the tournament brings for her.”
Nitschke additionally backed star opener Beth Mooney, who was the second highest-priced Aussie within the public sale, bought for $350,000, to hit kind after a lean lead-in to the match. She made a duck within the last warm-up recreation towards Ireland and one other towards the Kiwis.
“When it comes to the crunch, Moons always delivers for us,” Nitschke mentioned.
“There are no concerns, she is hitting the ball well, has good plans and she is not overthinking it.
“I am really confident she will be fine in this tournament.”
AUSSIES BOUGHT AT WPL AUCTION
Ashleigh Gardner, $558,000, Gujarat Giants
Beth Mooney $350,000, Gujarat Giants
Ellyse Perry, $297,000, RCB
Tahlia McGrath $245,000, UP Warriorz
Meg Lanning $193,000, Delhi Capitals
Grace Harris $131,000, UP Warriorz
Georgia Wareham $131,000, Gujarat Giants
Alyssa Healy $122,000, UP Warriorz
Annabel Sutherland $122,000 Gujarat Giants
Jess Jonassen $87,000, Delhi Capitals
Laura Harris $78,400, Delhi Capitals
Megan Schutt $70,000, RCB
Erin Burns $52,000, RCB
Heather Graham $52,000, Mumbai Indians
Source: www.news.com.au
