A little bit deflating: Grace Harris highlights the impact of living in a bio-bubble

Brisbane Heat star Grace Harris believes that staying in the bio-bubble has had an impact on the players in the Women's Big Bash League. Speaking after the loss against Melbourne Stars, Harris felt that there is a bit of frustration in the bubble as the living environment is entirely different.



"It does (affect us) at times. We were coming from Queensland, so we were already out and about. So, I think, for us it's a little bit restricting, a wake-up for us, a bit different. We are struggling a little bit to switch off outside of cricket," she told reporters on Sunday (November 8).



Acknowledging the circumstances, Harris said that the team that could adapt better to the environment and remain focused on their task would do well in the tournament. "Hopefully, we can look at the brighter side of the things, because losing like this is a little bit deflating," she said, adding that she's likely to help her teammates relax and get ready for their next game.



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Chasing 178, Heat lost a couple of wickets early, and that led to a middle-order collapse. Harris, who opened the batting, tried her best to get the team across the line, but they fell short by 23 runs.



Given how the Melbourne Stars batted in the powerplay, Harris thought that they would be chasing a total close to 200. "They were flying. They played some really good cricket shots early. I think, our bowlers, maybe, didn't execute what they wanted, and they (Stars) definitely put them away," she said.



However, Harris said that they could have chased down the total had they batted better in the middle period. "We weren't too far away. We didn't have our greatest fielding day. Just that in the middle overs, where we got a little bit stuck, not rotating the strike and being not able to kick on," she said.



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"As you can see, it was a good batting wicket. I just feel we didn't take advantage with our middle-order; something to definitely work on over the next couple of days."



Harris made a 52-ball 81 and carried her bat through the innings. Much like the opening game of the competition, when her half-century got Heat over the line against Scorchers, the right-hander tried to take the game deep. "I was just trying to be a little bit cautious because I did not want to throw my wicket away. I knew that if I kind of took it deep enough, we had a chance," she said.



The defending champions are currently seventh on the points table and have won only one match in seven games. Nevertheless, Harris seemed confident of turning things around for the Heat.



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"The table is still pretty tight. We are not out of it yet. I just want the girls to look forward to the next challenge and be up and about. Because it only takes one win, and you kind of gain a little bit of momentum in this tournament rolling through the back end," Harris said.



On her batting position, Harris said she would be happy to be bat wherever the team management wants. "We are just trying to see our best combinations and see what works well together in the middle. I have been training for all scenarios. I am just simply trying to be adaptable, know what team needs and play to that," Harris concluded.