The key to Sydney Thunder's spectacular 12-month turnaround from wooden-spooners to table-toppers has been focusing on the fun of the game, bowler Lauren Smith says.
The Thunder have gone from a side that won a single game last season, to a team that have lost just once this time around, and moved top of the WBBL ladder with Friday night's gripping four-run win over the Melbourne Stars.
"We have a new vibe in the changerooms, and we're all having fun as well - and when you're having fun, you're playing good cricket," Smith said.
The 27-year-old managed 1-12 with her offspinners in the Thunder's nail-biting win over the Stars at North Sydney Oval.
It was her first game back after a minor injury to her left calf, which led to her being sidelined for the first half of this season's WBBL.
Smith said the damage was not serious, but in preparation for a fixture-packed end of the season she had decided to give herself a break.
"I just needed a little bit of rest there at the start of the season," Smith said.
"I want to make sure that I'm up and about for that pointy end of the season."
The Thunder have games across three cities, involving five interstate flights, over the next 16 days - beginning with Sunday's clash against Perth in Melbourne.
Fast bowler Hannah Darlington has been a key to the Thunder's turnaround, with Smith praising her teammate's work ethic.
Darlington's figures of 5-10 on Friday were the second best by a pace bowler in WBBL history, and helped restrict the Stars to 9-121 in reply to the Thunder's far-from-intimidating target of 125.
"Hannah Darlington works so hard and North Sydney Oval is known for batting," Smith said.
"To get five wickets - I'm absolutely stoked for her.
"Having that low total, someone had to pull something out pretty special and Hannah was the one who did that."
