Everyone stepping up has made the difference this year, says Stars’ Natalie Sciver  

Melbourne Stars allrounder Natalie Sciver believes that everyone stepping up during the tough situations has made a difference in their performance this year. The team in green has qualified for the finals for the first time in six seasons and will face the Perth Scorchers in the first semi-final on Wednesday (November 25).



“When I was at the Stars earlier, there was a goal to get into the finals,” Sciver told reporters on Tuesday (November 24). “We were devastated when we didn’t make it, especially in the first year. It’s gonna be difficult to kind of things to have one or two players perform consistently for years.



“It gets difficult during the pressure games and that’s when everyone steps up. That’s been the difference this year. Four or five or six people have done the job this year. So as a squad we are on a good place,” said the England international.



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The Stars, led by Meg Lanning has been in stellar form winning eight matches on trot after their opening three games ended in no result. “I think we have managed to be consistent with our energy throughout the tournament, throughout the hub which has been a bit of challenge for all the teams, being in a different environment, being all together all the time.



“Can be little bit draining bit of times, be switch off and enjoy yourself and try not to think you are in a hub and then switch on, on the pitch,” she added. If we talk about the experience on the side, this team boasts in abundance in Katherine Brunt, Mignon du Preez, Sciver, Lanning and many more.



Speaking about the expertise in the side, Sciver said, “In terms of experience and international experience we have got abundance. When things do get difficult on the pitch we have got the experience on the sidelines to turn things around. It’s been good for us this year.”



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She also spoke about the youngsters like Tess Flintoff, Sophie Day, and more on the side taking extra pressure and performing in crucial situations. “I think that experience in death will help them perform in pressure games. Obviously, Meg works the bowlers on how she sees them on the day. Tess has done so well to close out some games but the young players like that who are standing up are also really important,” she added.



Sciver also heaped praise on Scorchers opening pair of Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine. “They have been pretty crucial for Scorchers during the season so far. We know they are big wickets. Obviously they have got other girls in the line-up including my teammate Amy Jones. It’s not about the opening pair but everyone else,” she concluded.