IN her debut Women’s Big Bash League season Lisa Griffith admits she at times ‘got smacked’, but this summer the Bathurst bowler is proving much harder to score off.
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In fact, after 11 rounds of the Twenty20 competition Griffith’s form for the Sydney Thunder had her ranked second in terms of bowling economy.
The Centennials Bulls graduate has conceded just 6.19 runs per over and given a number of her deliveries have come during power plays when teams are restricted to just two fielders outside the circle, plus in the dying stages when caution is set aside, it is impressive.
Only Renegades’ leg spinner Georgia Wareham – who represented Australia at the recent World T20 Cup – had a better economy rate (5.27) that Griffith.
But it is not just restricting runs that has made Griffith such a valuable figure for Thunder this Women’s Big Bash League season – she’s taking wickets too. Mixing her pace and line is paying off.
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After six games last summer for no wickets and a 10.02 economy rate, Griffith boast eight scalps from her first seven games in 2018-19 for Thunder.
“I'm really stoked with the way I am bowling,” Griffith said.
“I got smacked around the park last year so to have a few of those under my belt, I’m really grateful.
“With the help of people like Alex [skipper Alex Blackwell] and Rach in the team as well, Rachael Haynes, it has been really good for me to learn from them.”
The 26-year-old showed good form in trial games before the start of the season and began her latest campaign by taking 1-20 against the Renegades.
She sat out the next two games before returning for a double-header against the Strikers, taking 0-20 and 1-2. Griffith backed that up with 1-17 against the Hurricanes, but the real turning point came at Perth’s Lilac Hill. With Haynes rested, the Bathurst talent was again included in the starting line-up.
She took 1-30 in the first match and in the second, after Thunder team-mate and pace bowler Rene Farrell broke her hand, Griffith was given the job of opening the bowling.
She struck with her first delivery and in her second over bowled Australian skipper Meg Lanning. She finished with her WBBL career best 2-17.
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Griffith then backed that up with a player of the match performance against the Sydney Sixes, taking 2-24, including two of Australia’s finest in Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy in the space of three deliveries.
“I was a bit shocked when they called on me in Perth but obviously with Rene being injured at the moment there’s a bit of a spot there I guess,” Griffith said. “I've felt more comfortable this year and a bit more brave to go to a few more variations.
“And just having a bit more knowledge now about field placements and stuff like that. I think that all adds up and really helps.”
