A match-winning century by Sophie Devine, the New Zealand all-rounder, helped Western Australia beat Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) on Thursday (January 9). Tasmania and New South Wales, too had a good day at the office, as they defeated South Australia and Queensland, respectively.
In St. Kilda, Devine smashed 109 off 102 balls to power Western Australia to 271 for 6 following an early hiccup. The Kiwi’s master-class saw her crunch eight boundaries and four sixes.
Both Molly Strano and Sophie Molineux kept things tight for Victoria, but could not find a way to stop Devine until the penultimate over. Megan Banting (41*) and Ashley Day (35) supported Devine and kept the scoreboard ticking with their handy performances in the middle overs.
To chase a challenging target of 272, Victoria needed a brilliant start but Western Australia denied them. Taneale Peschel got rid of openers Elyse Villani and Molineux inside the first six overs, putting pressure on star players Ellyse Perry (28) and Meg Lanning (14) who fell early as they became victims of Nicole Bolton and Peschel.
Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham held the Victorian fort but as they tried to take the side closer to 200-run mark Bolton returned and dismissed Sutherland for a well-compiled 67 after which Emma King ended Wareham’s (51) stay at the crease. Eventually, Victoria fell 25 runs short as Peschel and King picked up three wickets each while Bolton returned with two wickets.
The clash between South Australia and Tasmania saw three fifty-plus scores and a four-wicket haul at the Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide. Despite Samantha Betts’ 59 and
Megan Schutt’s four-fer, South Australia lost to Tasmania by four wickets. Scorpions posted 242 for 7 after opting to bat first. With Tigers picking up regular wickets, no batter from Scorpions, except Betts, could score above 40.
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Samantha Betts in action for South Australia. © SA Scorpions/ TwitterMeg Phillips and Corinne Hall gave Tigers the perfect cushion in their 243-run chase. Phillips and Hollie Armitage started off well before Darcie Brown dismissed Armitage (25) to pick up her first wicket in the WNCL. Armitage’s return to the dressing room saw a couple of dismissals before Hall joined Phillips. Just when the Tigers inched closer to 200-run mark, Schutt removed Hall leg-before for 68 and soon after Tahlia McGrath dismissed Phillips for 64.
At 195 for 5 after 42.4 overs, Tigers managed to carry the momentum as Maisy Gibson and Sasha Maloney combined to take the side home. Schutt was the pick of bowlers from Scorpions as she returned with 4 for 33.
Elsewhere, New South Wales secured a comfortable 87-run win over Queensland at Hurstville Oval. Put in to bat first, Australia big hitter Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes stitched together a 101-run opening stand before Sammy-Jo Johnson got rid of Healy for 53. Delissa Kimmince joined the party and ended Haynes' stay for 53.
The dismissal of the openers led to a wobble in the middle order before
Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield rebuilt the innings. Soon after, Jess Jonassen dismissed Gardner and Litchfield in the space of ten deliveries. New South Wales finished on 241 for 7 with Jonassen taking three wickets.
In pursuit of 242, Queensland were bundled out for 154 inside 36 overs. The bowling department, led by Hayley Silver-Holmes and Gardner, made sure the hosts picked up regular wickets. Beth Mooney and Kirby Short gave the side a decent start but the openers’ stay was short-lived as Litchfield ran out Short (24) and Silver-Holmes dismissed Mooney for 34. Laura Harris' handy half-century gave Queensland some respectability, taking their total to 148 for 6, but with no support at the other end, Harris fell to Silver-Holmes and Queensland eventually folded for 154.
Brief scores:
Western Australia 271/6 in 50 overs (Sophie Devine 109, Megan Banting 41*; Sophie Molineux 2-40, Molly Strano 2-50) beat Victoria 246/8 in 50 overs (Annabel Sutherland 67, Georgia Wareham 51; Taneale Peschel 3-40, Emma King 3-46) by 25 runs. PoM: Sophie Devine
South Australia 242/7 in 50 overs (Samantha Betts 59, Bridget Patterson 34; Samantha Bates 2-42) lost to Tasmania 243/6 in 49 overs (Corinne Hall 68, Meg Phillips 64; Megan Schutt 4-33) by 4 wickets. PoM: Corinne Hall
New South Wales 241/7 in 50 overs (Alyssa Healy 53, Rachael Haynes 53; Jess Jonassen 3-47) beat Queensland 154 in 35.4 overs (Laura Harris 65, Beth Mooney 34; Hayley Silver-Holmes 3-18, Ashleigh Gardner 3-28) by 87 runs. PoM: Hayley Silver-Holmes
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