Laura Wolvaardt key for Adelaide Strikers in WBBL06, says Megan Schutt

Adelaide Strikers star Megan Schutt has stated that South African Laura Wolvaardt would be a key player for their success when the sixth edition of Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) kicks off on Sunday (October 25). Speaking ahead of their departure to Sydney from Adelaide, the Australian pace spearhead is expecting Wolvaardt to fill in the void created by Sophie Devine, who will be seen in Perth Scorchers colours this time.



"Hopefully, Laura. She, obviously, was cracking against us in the semifinal of the World Cup. Obviously, Sophie is a big loss, but it just means that everyone has to kind of step up an extra little bit of 10 per cent to make up for her," Schutt said.



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She felt that the week-long training camp in Adelaide has helped them work together as a squad. "I am really glad that we got the week to train together. Obviously, some of the internationals have got some freedom now, they can travel along with us. We had a good week of training in," added the right-arm pacer.



Schutt believes that the 26-year-old Bridget Patterson would be the player to look-out for this season. "Obviously, she had a few big hits last year. I reckon she is gonna consistently hit it big. I know she has been smocking them out in the middle there. So hopefully, she takes the same confidence into the games," she said.



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The 27-year-old Schutt felt that they have got the balance to go one step ahead from the last season when the Strikers surrendered at the hands of Brisbane Heat in the final. "I think we have got the firepower. I think we have got the same core group we have had for a while now. That often leads to success," she concluded.



Adelaide Strikers will take on Hobart Hurricanes at Hurstville Oval in their first match of WBBL06 on Sunday.