Gujarat Giants’ top order has struggled with inconsistency in the Women’s Premier League, largely due to frequent changes in the batting order. However, after securing a six-wicket win over defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, GG batting coach Daniel Marsh suggested that the combination used against RCB could be maintained going forward.
Against RCB, Beth Mooney opened alongside Dayalan Hemalatha. In contrast, during GG’s defeat to Delhi Capitals, Harleen Deol was sent in as an opener, with Phoebe Litchfield at No. 3 — an approach that did not yield results, prompting a reshuffle.
“I think we’ve been searching for it [the right batting combination] and today’s (Thursday) order is something we might look at going forward. Harleen [Deol] going in if we lose an early wicket and then post the PowerPlay, we’ll probably send in Ash [Ashleigh Gardner]. That’s our plan and hopefully Hema [Dayalan Hemalatha] can come good in the next games as well,” Marsh told reporters after the match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Both Indian batters, Harleen (five off 10 balls) and Hemalatha (11 off 15 balls), failed to make an impact. However, Litchfield, batting at No. 5, remained unbeaten on 30 from 21 balls, striking three fours and a six.
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“We think Phoebe [Litchfield] plays really well when the field is back. There are a lot of gaps for her. She bats at No. 3 for Australia and has just started. She’s got some learning to do in that position and I think she’ll be excellent for both the country and GG in time. But, at the moment, we have put her where we think she’ll get some runs,” Marsh explained.
While Gardner has been in sublime form, notching up her third half-century of the season against RCB, her compatriot Mooney has struggled for consistency since scoring a fifty in the tournament opener. However, the batting coach was confident that the experienced Australian would find her rhythm.
“The conditions have been quite difficult for the openers throughout the tournament. There was the odd one where she had a good innings, but she’ll be alright. She’s a quality player and she looked in good nick today but unfortunately, she hit it straight to the fielder,” Marsh said.