Amelia Kerr is raring to go for Brisbane Heat's crucial clashes this week (Photo: @heatbbl / X)
Brisbane Heat WBBL star all-rounder Amelia Kerr is feeling good ahead of the side’s critical matches against the Perth Scorchers tonight and the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday.
The New Zealander has recently returned to the team after missing the first five games of the season due to international commitments.
In her fourth season with the Heat, Kerr has continued her feast for runs, scoring 59 in the six-wicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes, before scoring 41 in an eight-run loss to the Sydney Thunder.
“It’s always nice to score runs and feel like you’re contributing to the team. It’s nice being back here amongst the group and while I’m excited to have a home game and play at Allan Border Field,” Kerr said.
“But it’s a great group to be a part of, I love my time and I guess having some time off when you come in and you want to contribute. So I guess every time I go out and play is what I’m trying to do.”
Since donning the teal of the Heat in WBBL|05, Kerr has been one of the competition’s standout all-rounders, taking 54 wickets at an economy rate of 6.22 and scoring 599 runs at a strike rate of 117.45.
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Despite these terrific stats, Kerr believes she has more improvement in all facets of the game.
“Not hugely. I’m always trying to get better and always focusing on all three skills. I think with the batting it’s just been over the last year or so I’ve had some opportunity to bat up the order and its something I’ve wanted to get better at for a long time now,” she said.
“I think for me it’s about keeping my game pretty simple and I know if I’m technically good, that’s probably my strength and that’s where I can go play my shots.
“It’s trying to be more consistent and wanting to perform in big moments, but I know each time I go out and play. Each time I train, it’s about getting the best out of myself and trying to do that as consistently as possible.”
Ahead of vital matches against the Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers – both whom sit in the top four and have a positive net run rate, Kerr knows the strengths they bring with the Scorchers having Kerr’s countrywoman Sophie Devine, opener Beth Mooney and English star Nat Sciver-Brunt. As for the Strikers, they too have quality players in South African opener Laura Wolvaardt, Tahlia McGrath, Katie Mack, and star bowler Megan Schutt.
“Definitely. I think every game in this competition is so important and when you get to the back end, it becomes even more so,” she said.
“It’s pleasing that when I came over here the girls got off to such a great start, but obviously a couple more wins and hopefully we can finish in the top four.
“Obviously finishing first or second you get a bit more of an advantage. That’s the goal, but taking each game as it comes and each one is so important and the teams here are all high quality. So it’s a good challenge.”
It’s the fourth time this tournament, the Heat will have a turnaround of less than 48 hours, but Kerr believes it can create momentum.
“It’s been pretty busy travel and play. It keeps your mind fresh and you’ve got to move on quickly. So I think that’s the important thing about tournaments like this, that you have to move on quickly,” she said.
“But when you get on a roll it can kind of create a little bit of a streak. So we’re looking to getting back to Mackay as well, obviously the Scorchers come first and then against Adelide, who are again performing really well this year.”
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