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Suzie Bates, Stafanie Taylor to miss tournament opener against Hobart Hurricanes

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Women's CricZone Staff
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Suzie Bates confident Adelaide Strikers can cover Devine-shaped hole

Suzie Bates in action for Adelaide Strikers. © Getty Images

Adelaide Strikers will be missing the services of their captain Suzie Bates and West Indies all-rounder Stafanie Taylor in their tournament opener of the sixth edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) on Sunday (October 25). The Strikers have announced a 13-member squad for their first match against Hobart Hurricanes.

While the Kiwi batter is still recuperating from the shoulder injury she sustained during the ODI series against Australia last month, Taylor is yet to complete her mandatory quarantine period. The skipper's fellow national teammate Katie Perkins has been announced as her replacement, and Australia pacer Megan Schutt will be doing the captaincy duties in Bates' absence. 

ALSO READ: Strikers undecided about opting for replacement with Stafanie Taylor unavailable for the start of WBBL06

Strikers head coach Luke Williams said that they are hoping that Bates would be match-fit soon. "While, unfortunately, Suzie is not available for this game, she continues to progress her rehabilitation, and we hope that she will be available soon," he said ahead of the first match.

South Africa star batter Laura Wolvaardt is likely to make her first appearance in blue on Sunday. Earlier Schutt had said that Wolvaardt would be the player to watch out for in the absence of  Sophie Devine, who moved to Perth Scorchers this year. Ellie Falconer, who had sustained a stress injury, has not joined the squad in the WBBL 'Village'.

ALSO READ: Suzie Bates confident Adelaide Strikers can cover Devine-shaped hole

"We welcome Katie, and also Laura and Maddie who are in the squad for the first time, and we can't wait to see what they will bring tomorrow," Williams concluded. 

Adelaide Strikers squad for the first match: Megan Schutt (c), Darcie Brown, Sarah Coyte, Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O'Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Katie Perkins (NZ), Alex Price, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt (SA)
Stafanie Taylor Suzie Bates Adelaide Strikers Laura Wolvaardt WBBL06 Women's Big Bash League, 2020
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