Wellington half-century, Falconer’s 4-fer help South Australia scrape past Victoria  

Amanda Wellington hit an unbeaten 60, and was well aided by Tegan McParlin’s gutsy 47 off 87 balls, as South Australia defeated Victoria by three wickets with an over to spare in the last-round encounter of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Wednesday (February 5).

With 192 runs to win, South Australia’s chase was never an easy one, as they lost their top three – Tahlia McGrath (11), Bridget Patterson (five) and Eliza Doddridge (one) – with just 18 runs on board. But, thereafter, McPharlin along with Emma de Broughe (38) steadied the ship with a 73-run fourth-wicket partnership.

The Victorians pegged back into the match with the wicket of de Broughe, followed by another two quick dismissals but that didn’t deter Wellington as she took on the opposition bowlers carefully and steered her team home towards victory. For Victoria, Courtney Neale (2/38), Tess Flintoff (2/31) and skipper Molly Strano (2/24) took two wickets apiece.   

Earlier, Victoria rode on Amy Vine’s (56) half-century to post 191 in 50 overs. Barring Vine, none of the Victoria batters could really stand in front of South Australia’s bowling, particularly Ellen Falconer, whose spell of 8-0-36-4 did all the damage. Apart from Falconer, McGrath (2/31), Samantha Betts (2/32) and Wellington (1/25) also aided to the team’s cause.

Brief scores: Victoria 191 all out in 50 overs (Amy Vine 56; Ellen Falconer 4-36) lost to South Australia 195/7 in 49 overs (Amanda Wellington 60*, Tegan McPharlin 47; Courtney Neale 2/38, Tess Flintoff 2/31, Molly Strano 2/24) by three wickets.