Chloe Ainsworth has begun Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 with two early wickets for Perth Scorchers, having come into the tournament off an injury-free preseason.
First-ball strikes at Junction Oval and Drummoyne Oval
The 21-year-old quick dismissed Rhys McKenna caught behind with her first ball at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. Three nights later at Drummoyne Oval, she again struck with the first ball of the innings, removing Georgia Voll.
Those early breakthroughs continue a pattern that has followed Ainsworth since her WBBL debut in 2023. She has already dismissed top-order and world-class batters such as Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Lizelle Lee, Grace Harris and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Since WBBL 09, she has taken nine first-over wickets from 24 matches when she opened the bowling. Molly Strano has eight from 20 matches, Lauren Cheatle eight from 28, Marizanne Kapp seven from 28 and Megan Schutt four from 16.
Career numbers and a national contract
After 39 WBBL matches, Ainsworth has taken 45 wickets at an average of 21 and an economy rate of 6.85. She was named in the WBBL team of the tournament twice during her first three seasons.
Earlier this year, Cricket Australia gave her a national contract for 2026-27 despite her never having been part of an Australian squad.
Ainsworth had faced off-season injuries in previous summers, making her preparation difficult. This time she managed to complete a full preseason without injury, which she said has given her greater confidence in her preparation.
“I think this is the first time my career that I’ve been able to have a solid block of work, and I’m so grateful for everything that’s happened,” Ainsworth said.
Her plan with the new ball is clear: “I’m trying to control the new ball up front and be as dangerous as I can.”
Time around Australia’s leading players
The national contract has given Ainsworth some chances to work around Australia’s leading players. Australia spent much of the year on the road, but she attended a few squad-wide camps at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane. She called the experience “ridiculous” and spoke about what she had learned from being around the national side.
“I’ve been able to learn so much, they’re just the best players in the world, and it’s so obvious why,” she said.
Grundy backs improvement with bat and ball
Becky Grundy, the Perth Scorchers and Western Australia coach, believes Ainsworth can keep improving with both bat and ball. Grundy said she did a mountain of work last season before an injury towards the back end affected her player leave period, but that she has since enjoyed a clean preseason. She also praised Ainsworth’s competitive nature and resilience after her injury struggles.
“She’s just hungry to take wickets and score runs. The sky is absolutely the limit,” Grundy said.
Grundy said Ainsworth’s skill level was high despite probably limited training over the last two years, and called her an “absolute heartbeat out on the field”.
With a full preseason behind her, the Perth quick can now focus on staying fit, controlling the new ball and making the most of her opportunities.
