NEWS
Follow UsGujarat Giants skipper Beth Mooney expressed disappointment over her performance after the franchise finished as the wooden spoon holders for the second time in the Women’s Premier League. The Giants started their season with four consecutive defeats and ended it with a humiliating loss against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday (March 13).
“We were outplayed in all facets. Didn't get a great start with the bat and then let the runs come quickly when we bowled. We do have some positives to take back, some individual performances which allowed us to be competitive at times during the tournament,” said Mooney, who scored 285 runs across eight innings at an average of 47.5 and a strike rate of 141.08.
“Disappointment. We might have to look at a different captain next year, haven't done a heap. It's been hard on me. We have got a great coach and excellent management, we have a few pieces and will need to string them together much better in the next season.”
However, GG’s head coach Michael Klinger doesn’t want his franchise to make too many changes despite winning only two of their eight games. “I certainly don't want to see there being a huge turnover like there was last year because we need some stability and some continuity as well,” said Klinger.
"You look at some of the other teams that kept the bulk of their squad together and it's only beneficial going forward. So I certainly wouldn't expect there to be as big a turnover as it was last year. We've got to sit down and go through this. We haven't done that as yet (since) there's a fair bit of time to go for that."
There were a couple of positives for the Giants. Left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar ended the competition as their leading wicket-taker (10 scalps @ 20.70), while Shabnam Shakil and Bharti Fulmali also had a couple of decent games. "There will be time to look at some domestic cricket before the next auction as well so we'll see some of our own players and how they're going in domestic cricket, and see some other players.
“We will also leave no stone unturned, I'm sure, as an organisation and as a franchise to make sure that we're looking all around India for talent and good performances in particular. Even someone like Bharti tonight, she's had a pretty good domestic season and to come out and do what she did - she was a replacement but she's put her best foot forward now to stay with us going forward as well.
"In terms of small improvements There's certainly been that since last year. We've unearthed some small players who I think they're going to be a big part of Gujarat Giants' future. Tanuja has been unbelievable the whole tournament, she's been our most consistent player overall. Shabnam, to unearth a talent that I think is fantastic. So that's going to hold us in good stead.”
Phoebe Litchfield had a terrible season, with the 20-year-old managing 108 runs across eight innings at an average of 13.5 and a strike rate of 100.93. Ashleigh Gardner also didn’t do much - 120 runs @ 15 and 7 wickets @ 29.71.
“Phoebe is an extremely hard worker. There's no doubt over her efforts and the attitude she brings into every game. It just hasn't clicked for her, and she's maybe struggling to find the answer because not so long ago in India, for Australia, she was unbelievable and performing really well. But she's only 20 years old, she's got to come back, bigger and stronger. Whatever cricket she plays, whether it's back here in WPL next year, whether it's playing for Australia in a week in Bangladesh, I've no doubt she'll come good.
"Sometimes when you're some bit out of nick, that first risk or the second risk that you take doesn't quite come off and then that's what's happened this tournament. Someone this young will learn from that and learn to adapt.
"It's hard in these tournaments where we have game after game, and there's not just enough time to practice certain things and to work on something. It just didn't work out for her in this tournament and that's okay. She's young. She's got a 10-plus year career ahead of her and she'll play WPL down the track next year and beyond and probably be Player of the Tournament and I wouldn't be surprised. I have full faith in her coming back stronger next year.”
Talking about Gardner, Klinger said: "I actually think she had a pretty good season. I haven't looked at her exact stats but you have got to remember she's our go-to person with everything. Whether it's coming in at the right time to attack with the bat, whether it's bowling difficult overs - she bowls in powerplay when the batters are going big, we bring her on and she bowls in death overs for us.
"Statistics wise I actually haven't looked, so maybe you could argue that. But, she's one of our most experienced players, one of our fittest players, strongest players, bowls four overs every game, key batter through the middle and one of our better fielders. You could argue that she could have wanted to do slightly better but I've got no issues."
