England internationals Charlotte Edwards, Katherine Brunt, Heather Knight and Laura Marsh are set to take part in the Women’s Big Bash League semi-finals next week.
Fit-again Edwards and Brunt’s Perth Scorchers will go head-to-head with Sydney Thunder, who topped the 14-game table, while Knight’s Hobart Hurricanes take on Sydney Sixers, for whom Marsh has played six times.
The Scorchers, who also have ex-England player Nicky Shaw in their ranks, secured a top-four place following two nine-wicket wins in as many days over Melbourne Renegades with Edwards and Brunt at the heart of them.
Brunt took 2-12, trapping international team-mate Danielle Wyatt lbw, and Shaw returned 2-19 as the Scorchers limited the Renegades to 130 for six, a total they chased in 16 overs for the loss of just Edwards to Wyatt for 15.
Another fine bowling display restricted the Renegades to 108 for eight the next day, Shaw bowling Wyatt en route to 3-28 and Brunt claiming 2-14.
They needed just 15.2 overs to complete their pursuit, again for the loss of just Edwards, but the England skipper this time smacked 63 off 51 balls.
Roller coaster of a day, but very proud of the @ScorchersWBBL girls #semifinals #wbbl pic.twitter.com/32YuMQIhJJ
— Charlotte Edwards (@Lottie2323) January 17, 2016
Although she missed out against the Scorchers, Wyatt had returned to fitness earlier this week with a bang following an arm injury.
She struck five fours and a six in a knock of 54 from 47 deliveries, lifting the Renegades to 141 for eight in an innings where Sarah Taylor made three stumpings, a total the Strikers matched to produce the competition’s first Super Over.
Wyatt was given responsibility in the crucial six balls, blasting a six, but the Renagdes fell seven runs short of the Strikers’ score of 19.
The Renegades would get their revenge over the Strikers two days later, Wyatt starring with both bat and ball.
She was moved to the top of the order and blasted six fours and a maximum in a 37-ball 48 before she was one of three stumpings for Taylor.
The off-spinner then took 3-20 from four overs to help dismiss Adelaide for 113, 32 of which Taylor provided.
From @ScorpionsSA to @StrikersWBBL. Best time of my life. Love you guys. #BLEEDRED #strikeforce pic.twitter.com/p8Uw2mCncE
— Sarah Taylor (@Sarah_Taylor30) January 17, 2016
Taylor was overshadowed by two of her emerging England team-mates in the Strikers’ win over Brisbane Heat.
Kate Cross bowled Taylor for 14 and then Lauren Winfield struck 36 but it was not enough as the Heat fell six runs short.
Hobart Hurricanes finished second in the table despite losing two of their three matches this week, both to semi-final opponents Sydney Sixers who won eight in a row.
Knight contributed 23, seven and 33 in those matches while also taking four wickets, including 3-7 from three overs in the win over Melbourne Stars.
Natalie Sciver claimed 2-23 and hit 20 from 15 balls but could not prevent the Stars from losing.
Source: ECB