First-year Melbourne Stars’ captain Kristen Beams will be more of a development leader than dictator in the Border Bash clash with Sydney Thunder.
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Beams is one of the WBBL’s few bowling mentors, having replaced one of the world’s best players in sidelined skipper and superstar batter Meg Lanning.
“I love to see the players take charge and they know what they want, know the fields they want and they know what they’re trying to do,” Beams said.
“As a captain, that’s fun and let them explore and have that freedom.
“For me, it’s just about sharing that leadership of the team, rather than feeling like you need to be out there telling everyone what they should be doing and standing over them.
“I certainly don’t want to be that kind of skipper, I want people to enjoy what they do.”
The 33-year old missed selection in the Australian team for the recent Ashes Test after the leg-spinner was the country’s leading wicket-taker at the World Cup earlier in the year.
However, Beams did play one of the one-dayers against England, taking 2-38.
But she’s not using the WBBL as motivation to win back her spot.
“People always want to ask you about selection and what does it mean, are you trying to prove them wrong, and do all those sorts of things,” Beams said.
“For me, it;s just all about playing the best cricket I can, I love the game.
“I feel fortunate to captain the side, so that’s where my focus lies and if the result of that is to play for Australia again, that’s great and, if not, it’s not meant to be.”
The Stars have just completed their training camp on the Mornington Peninsula and will play some practice games, prior to the season-opener against Sydney Sixers on Saturday.
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Lizelle Lee will make her debut, the right-hander blasting her maiden ODI century against Australia last year.
“Our team’s so different and we have Lizelle Lee, who made one of the best centuries I’ve seen,” Beams said.
“We’re very excited about what she can do.”
Lee blasted 102 from just 89 balls.
The 25-year old has struck 50 sxies in ODI’s and another 20 in T20 internationals.
“It’s about people who break the game open and that have natural flair and that X-factor,” Beams said.
“I think this is what the competition is all about, actually seeing people show off their skills.”
The Stars and Thunder will launch the eagerly anticipated second Border Bash from 2pm at the Lavington Sportsground on December 12.
The men’s game, which isn’t played for points, will follow.
Officials will be hoping to break the 10,000 barrier.