ELIZABETH BOTCHERBY takes a look at Phoenix's player recruitment and suggests what more needs to be done before the start of the new season
Who has been retained?
Phoenix’s top brass were clearly impressed with the squad which finished in third place in 2021 and have just three spaces to fill on their roster. Unsurprisingly, they have kept hold of leading run-scorer Eve Jones, star wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, pocket rocket Issy Wong, and 2021’s leading spinner Kirstie Gordon.
Promising pace bowler Emily Arlott and England allrounder Georgia Elwiss have also been retained alongside Gwen Davies, Abtaha Maqsood, Phoebe Franklin, and Ria Fackrell.
However, their most exciting retentions are international allrounders Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry. Both players were forced to pull out of the 2021 edition - Devine opting to stay in New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming World Cup and Perry withdrawing for personal reasons – but have signed on for this year’s competition.
Who has been released?
After being signed as overseas replacements for the 2021 tournament, Erin Burns, Katie Mack and Shafali Verma have not been retained.
Verma, covering for Sophie Devine, takes with her 171 runs at a strike rate of 142.50 but it’s arguably Burns (Ashleigh Gardner) who is the biggest loss. The Australian allrounder was handy with the bat at no.5, scoring 156 runs at a strike rate of 121.87, and quite indispensable with the ball. Often tasked with bowling in the powerplay and at the death, Burns collected seven wickets and was her side’s most economical bowler, conceding 1.14 runs per ball.
Top order batter Marie Kelly, who made just one appearance in 2021, has also been released.
Kirstie Gordon has been retained
Which areas are well covered?
For most sides, losing Verma, Mack and Burns, who scored a combined 427 runs last year, would be a huge blow. However, for Birmingham Phoenix it is a drop in the ocean because in Eve Jones, Amy Jones, Devine and Perry, they have arguably the most imposing top four in the competition.
Only Deandra Dottin has scored more T20I sixes than Devine’s 96 while the New Zealander’s impressive WBBL record – 3,076 runs at 39,94 and a strike rate of 128.81 – should fill the competition’s bowlers with horror. Perry, meanwhile, is perfectly suited to taking on the anchor role shared by Burns and Mack.
The pace department also looks solid. As well as retaining standout duo Arlott and Wong, who took a combined 12 wickets last year, and supporting trio Elwiss, Franklin and Eve Jones, the arrival of Perry and Devine adds vital depth and experience.
Which areas lack cover?
Beyond their top four, Phoenix’s batting line-up continues to look a tad fragile. Wong did a fine job as a make-shift finisher last year, scoring 65 runs at a strike rate of 132.65 and produced a handful of similar performances in the WBBL – remember her six sixes against Adelaide Strikers? – while Arlott is no slouch with the bat.
However, at least one, and probably two, of their three vacant slots should be awarded to a finisher or middle-order batter. And if that player is a wicket-taking spinner, that would be even better.
Gordon was the standout spinner last year, taking 15 wickets and conceding 1.24 runs per ball, while leggie Maqsood chipped in with four wickets. However, they need someone to replace Burns’ contribution with the ball. Dream selection? Amelia Kerr.
Squad: Emily Arlott, Gwen Davies, Sophie Devine, Georgia Elwiss, Ria Fackrell, Phoebe Franklin, Kirstie Gordon, Amy Jones, Eve Jones, Ellyse Perry, Abtaha Maqsood, Issy Wong (12)
Overseas players: 2
Spaces to fill: 4
OTHER TEAMS (open in external window in app)
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.