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WBBL Scorchers aiming for golden dynasty

3 minute read

The Perth Scorchers have already lost two WBBL grand finals, but they'll be hoping it's third time lucky in the 2021 decider at Optus Stadium.

BETH MOONEY.
BETH MOONEY. Picture: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Star opener Beth Mooney hopes a win in Saturday's WBBL final will help spark the start of a dynasty at the Perth Scorchers.

The Scorchers are yet to win a WBBL title, but they're hoping it's a case of third time lucky after finishing on top of the table and earning direct entry into the decider.

Perth's first two grand final appearances ended in losses, but they will enter the latest instalment as favourites given they will be playing at home in front of a huge crowd.

"Whatever way it goes it's a proud moment to be part of the Scorchers at the moment," Mooney said on Wednesday.

"Hopefully after Saturday we can talk about starting a sort of dynasty with the Perth Scorchers and creating a bit of a legacy of players that know how to win games and know how to win tournaments."

The Scorchers will have had a six-day break by the time Saturday's final rolls around.

In contrast, their opponents will have played either one or two elimination finals leading up to the decider.

Some believe the team who enters the final as match-hardened will have an advantage, but Mooney disagrees.

"I think it is an absolute advantage to finish first," she said.

"At the start of the season I thought it was a bit of an unfair advantage, but now that we're at the top I think it's absolutely deserved for the team that finishes first.

"I said to Shell (coach Shelley Nitschke) the other day I think I've only got one game left in me, so it's lucky we're not playing a semi-final."

Mooney plundered a season-high 528 runs at an average of 52.80 and strike-rate of 132 during the season, combining with Sophie Devine to form the most dangerous opening pairing in the league.

The duo loom as key players in the Scorchers' hopes of winning a maiden WBBL crown.

WA Cricket are hopeful of luring more than 42,000 people to the match in order to set an attendance record for a women's sporting event in Perth.

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