BATHURST’S Lisa Griffith received a confidence boost heading towards a new season of women’s Big Bash after a recent stint in New Zealand’s top tier Twenty20 competition.
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Griffith joined forces with the Otago Sparks for four matches in the Super Smash competition, splitting wins and losses evenly, but wreaked plenty of havoc with bat and ball.
The Bathurst import didn’t take long to put her opponents on notice, removing both Central Hinds openers to help her side claim a 23-run win in their first game.
It was in the second match, against Northern Districts, where Griffith made her biggest mark.
Griffith finished with figures of 3-10 in a comfortable 57-run success.
Sparks couldn’t keep the win streak alive against the Canterbury Magicians and Wellington Blaze but Griffith did everything in her power to try and get her side home.
Griffith top scored with 29 in the game against the Magicians and managed to better that mark against the Blaze with 40.
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When the chance to make the trip across the ditch came Griffith’s way she didn’t hesitate.
“Otago were chasing an all-rounder so they got in contact with Cricket NSW and that’s how it all came about,” she said.
“I was very lucky to have the opportunity to go and spend a week with the Otago team.
“It fell at a good time for me because the next weekend we have the next few rounds of the Women’s National Premier League. It would have been nice to play a little bit longer over there but I had to come back to prepare for those games.”
After a tough introduction to the WBBL last season Griffith is hopeful the extra experience from New Zealand can help her reach a new peak in her career.
“Obviously it was a big learning curve for me in the Big Bash and to come out of that tournament with no wickets to my name was tough but it’s given me a lot to work on over the pre-season,” she said.
“It was great play overseas and take on some big names in cricket and do okay. That’s a big confidence boost to know that the things I’ve been working on over the pre-season are paying off.”
NSW Breakers play Western Australia and Victoria in their upcoming WNPL fixtures.
The WBBL is less than a month away.
Griffith’s Thunder will start their Big Bash campaign on December 2 with a game against the Melbourne Renegades in St Kilda.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
