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Victorians finally end NSW reign as girls U18 cricket champs
- Updated: January 20, 2016
NEW South Wales’ 11-year reign as national girls under-18 cricket champions has come to an end, with Victoria finally breaking through.
In their fourth straight final appearance, the Vics claimed the Betty Butcher Shield after defeating their northern rivals at Kippax Oval in Canberra.
After making 3-183 from their allotted 50 overs, the Vic restricted NSW Metropolitan to just 124.
Women’s Big Bash League listed-players Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux, from the Melbourne Renegades iced terrific series by being the stars of the final,
Taking player of the match honours, Wareham was the chief destroyer with the ball, claiming 3-31, backing up her effort with the bat – 40 not out -
The leg-spinner finished with a total of 16 wickets at the incredible average of 8.69, the highlight a haul of 6-16 from 10 overs against Queensland.
Eventually named player of the tournament. Molineux top-scored in the final with 59, taking her overall runs’ tally to 375 – more than 150 better than the next best – at an average of 62.5
“This competition is a direct feeder into the state and national women’s competitions and there is no doubt we will see some of these girls take the next step,” Cricket Australia Female Pathway Manager Shawn Flegler told nationalchamps.com.au.
“We have seen this week alone Sophie Molineux included in the Governor-General’s XI to take on a Indian Women’s XI in Drummoyne, a great reward for an excellent Under 18s tournament.
“Each of our current Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have come through the Australian Cricket Pathway and we expect to see many of these Under 18 girls to follow in their footsteps.”
Victorian openers Makinley Blows (29) and Annabel Martin (27) put on a valuable 69 runs for the first wicket before Molineux entered the fray at No.3, her knock including six fours.
NSW Metro never got going in its run chase, struggling at 2-24 and then reeling at 4-50, with Tayla Vlaeminck (2-21) and Rhiann O’Donnell (2-14) also getting among the wickets.
Yardley Polsen (23) top-scored for the beaten champs, coming in late in the order.
The Betty Butcher Shield was inaugurated in 2000/01 to honour the long-serving contribution of the late Betty Butcher. It was also the last time Victoria had won the championships.
Source: National Champs
