Women's Cricket in Australia - WNCL 2003/2004
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National League - Reports and News
Vic Spirit v NSW Breakers finals series - Breakers take back title
For the first time in the history of the WNCL, a team has come back from a
first up loss in the finals series as NSW won 2-1 to win their 7th WNCL title in 8 seasons.The first final on Sat saw NSW unable to bat out the full 50 overs, being dismissed in the 46th over for 128. Only Lisa Keightley (60) and Martha Winch (19) really got going in what was a disappointing performance from a star-studded batting line-up. The Spirit bowled well and kept their discipline with Fitzpatrick taking 3/13 off 8 and Megan Pauwels doubling her season tally in taking 3/7.
In reply, the Spirit were never in trouble, pacing themselves to cruise past the total in the 49th over just 4 wickets down. Belinda Clark led the way with a solid 38 and Fitzpatrick (27) and Applebee (21) saw the Spirit home.
The second final saw the Spirit bat first, posting a solid score of 8/162 off the 50 overs. Again Clark led the way with a half century (52) with Mel Jones on the board with a solid 39. The NSW bowlers had a better day with Bronwyn Calver taking 3/37 and Sarah Andrew 2/28.
The chase got off to a slow start with Keightley gone early before Shannon Cunneen (48), Lisa Sthalekar (24) and Martha Winch (25) picked up the pace leaving it to the Blackwell twins (Kate 29 and Alex 13) to chase a run-a-ball for an exciting win in the 49th over.
4 runouts dominated the wickets with Fitzpatrick the only taker.The third final promised quality and delivered. A hungry Spirit batting order posted a sizable 4/217 with Clark again dominating. This time Clark reached triple figures with a standout century (115 off 145) to anchor the innings, while Broadfoot (35) Applebee (23) and Fitzpatrick (24 off 23) also chipped in. Again the NSW bowlers struggled to make an impact with 2 runouts, and Keightley and Sthalekar picking up the only other Vic wickets.
NSW went out hard, with a solid opening partnership of 119 before Cunneen (54) was trapped in front by Pauwels. Sthalekar went soon after for 3 and when Winch was runout for 9, NSW were 3/150 in the 36th over needing 68 off the remaining 85 balls. NSW then lost mainstay Keightley (75) on 160, Kate Blackwell at 178 and Leah Poulton on 189 leaving Alex Blackwell and Julie Hayes to chase 29 off 31 balls. Hayes lifted the pace with 2 quick fours before Fitzpatrick ended her run of 10 off 6 balls, leaving a nervous Coleman and Blackwell to plod through the remaining14 runs off 22 balls. The fourth ball of the 49th over beat the keeper and ran away for the winning run to give NSW the title.
Fitzpatrick finished with 3/38 and again Pauwels again picked up wickets finishing with 2/31 off her 10.
Fitzpatrick with 7 wickets from the weekend
became the first bowler to take 100 WNCL wickets and also equal the record for the most wickets in a season (18, set by Bronwyn Calver in 2001/02).Clark was named Player of the Finals for the second year in a row after top
scoring in each game for the Victorians. In addition, with 622 she fell just short of setting a new record for the most runs in a season (629, set by Zoe Goss (Vic) in 1996/97).Background:
Vic - Belinda Clark (c), Clea Smith (vc), Cathryn Fitzpatrick (vc), Kelly Applebee, Louise Broadfoot, Jodi Dean, Sarah Edwards, Jane Franklin, Amelie Hunter, Julie Hunter, Melanie Jones, Ingrid Noack, Megan Pauwels, Natalie Wood.
NSW - Julie Hayes (c), Lisa
Sthalekar (vc), Sarah Andrews, Alex Blackwell, Kate Blackwell, Bronwyn Calver, Leonie Coleman, Shannon Cunneen, Lisa Keightley, Sharon Millanta, Leah Poulton, Emma Twining, Martha Winch. PThese two sides are seen as the traditional rivals in interstate competition
and their respective records in the WNCL reflects that - NSW have claimed 6 out of the 7 titles while Victoria won it's first won last season (defeating NSW). In fact, Victoria and NSW have met 4 times in the finals with NSW holding a 7-2 advantage.In their 2 matches this season, the first WNCL tie occurred on day 1 while
the Spirit secured victory with 6 balls to spare on day 2. Overall in the WNCL, the sides have met 25 times with NSW holding a 15-9 advantage (with 1 tie).NSW have 7 players (Hayes, Sthalekar, Alex Blackwell, Coleman, Cunneen,
Keightley & Twining) in the recently named Australia squad to play New Zealand while Victoria have 4 (Clark, Smith, Fitzpatrick & Jones).MEDIA RELEASE
22 January 2004
MCG to host rematch of last year's WNCL final
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host a rematch of last year's Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) finals when arch-rivals Victoria Spirit and the New South Wales Breakers do battle in the three-match series beginning on 31 January.
The finals showdown is a best-of-three match series with the limited-over games scheduled for 31 January, 1 February and the deciding match, if required, on Monday 2 February.
Victoria Spirit claimed its inaugural WNCL title last season, defeating the New South Wales Breakers 2-0 in the finals series, also played at the MCG.
Since the women's national competition was established as the WNCL in 1996-97, the two sides have dominated the championship. New South Wales won six consecutive titles before Victoria broke the sequence to claim last year's championship.
In their two limited-over encounters this season, the sides completed a thrilling tie at Butler Oval in Frankston, before Victoria Spirit claimed a four wicket victory the next day at the same venue.
Overall, the two states have played 25 times with the WNCL head-to-head battle standing at New South Wales (15), Victoria (9) and one tied result (this year).
In WNCL finals series, they have met on four occasions - 1996-97, 1998-99, 2001-02 and 2002-03.
Six players have played in all 25 WNCL matches between the states - Bronwyn Calver, Julie Hayes and Lisa Keightley (New South Wales), and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Melanie Jones and Belinda Clark (Victoria). Clark played 15 WNCL matches for New South Wales before relocating to Victoria.
Play begins at 1000 and entry is free. Patrons should enter via gate 8.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Beltrame
Cricket Australia Corporate Communications Officer
Tel: 03 9653 9927 or 0409 524 482;
Claudia Fatone
Cricket Victoria Women's Cricket Operations Manager
Tel: 03 9653 1100 or 0412 067 853; or
Helen Ley
Executive Officer Cricket New South Wales
Tel: 02 9339 0924 or 0425 297706.
See the recent media announcement of the 2003-04 Women's Cricket season
