Tahlia Wilson, Nicole Bolton and Katie Mack star on day two of WNCL

The second day of the Women’s National Cricket League witnessed three matches in which Western Australia, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) ended up on the winning side. Tahlia Wilson was the star of the day with an unbeaten 95 that guided New South Wales to their first win of the season. Katie Mack of ACT and Nicole Bolton of Western Australia also guided their teams to victory.

Western Australia v Tasmania

Nicole Bolton's second fifty of the WNCL guided Western Australia to a 16 run victory against Tasmania at the South District Cricket Club in Brisbane on Sunday (September 22).  Bolton's 63 and Megan Banting's 46 proved just enough as Tasmania batters choked at the back end of their run chase.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss Tasmania bowlers were right on the money as they reduced Western Australia to 30 for 3 inside the first power play - Chloe Piparo, Sophie Devine and Amy Edgar all back in the pavilion.

The resurrection of the innings was done by Bolton and Banting. While the left-hander continued her good run of form, she received adequate support from Banting at the other end. The pair added 93 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter was cleaned up by Sasha Maloney.

Continued wickets from that moment on meant Western Australia were unable to get the big finish they so desired. They lost 71 for 6 in 14.3 overs to be dismissed for 195 in 49 overs.

Belinda Vakarewa, the fast bowler, picked up three wickets, while Maisy Gibson - another NSW recruit - managed to pick up two wickets.

Chasing 195 for victory, Tasmania lost Meg Phillips and Stefanie Dafara early. Although the middle order tried to dig in, they were unable to rotate the strike and continued to build dot ball pressure. Only Corinne Hall kept them in the hunt with a valiant 93-ball 55.

Western Australia's bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets, refusing to let any partnerships build. Their combined efforts meant Western Australia registered their second consecutive win.

Tanael Peschel, Bolton and Emma King picked up two wickets each.

 

South Australia v New South Wales

Tahlia Wilson's unbeaten 95 guided New South Wales to a comfortable six-wicket victory against South Australia at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Sunday (September 22).  Wilson almost single-handedly guided New South Wales to their target of 196, sharing useful partnerships with the likes of Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Trenaman and Phoebe Litchfield along the way.

Electing to bat first South Australia got off to a solid start after the match was delayed by rain. Tahlia McGrath and Bridget Patterson added 101 for the first wicket - each picking up individual half-centuries - to lay a solid foundation for the rest of the batters.

The match though, drastically swung in favor of New South Wales when that partnership was broken by Hayley Silver-Holmes. McGrath had to walk back for a well made 59. New South Wales then began to pick up regular wickets and put a lid on the run-scoring. The hosts completely lost the plot, losing seven wickets for 90 runs as they crumbled to 195 for 8 in 37 overs. Patterson was unbeaten on 78.

In reply, New South Wales got off to a nightmare start losing Lisa Griffith off the very first ball of the innings. Wilson and Stalenberg then came together to put on 86 runs for the second wicket. Stalenberg was the aggressor, scoring 42 off just 43 balls, including five fours an a six.

Her wicket did little to hamper the visitors' progress. The teenage pair of Trenaman and Wilson kept the scoreboard moving at a good clip. They added 60 runs in a little over 11 overs before the former was dismissed by McGrath for 24.

Debutante Litchfield took to her new role like fish to water collecting 18 runs off 24 balls before she was run out with victory in sight. However, Wilson kept her calm and guided the defending champions home with four balls to spare.

She was unbeaten on 95 off 111 balls.

 

Victoria v Australian Capital Territory

Katie Mack starred with the bat to help ACT to an 18-run win over Victoria at Adelaide. Mack's 63 guided her team to a competitive total 168 for 6 before the bowlers combined to restrict Victoria to 150 for 4 in a rain-curtailed match.

After being put in to bat by Victoria, ACT recovered from the early loss of a wicket thanks to a wonderful partnership between Mack and Anna Lanning. The duo put on 98 for the second wicket to help their team to a decent total of 168 for 6 in 33 overs.

In reply, Elyse Villani (41) and Makinley Blows (48) gave Victoria the perfect start. They sticthed together an enterprising 88-run stand for the first wicket. However, with the run rate hovering only marginally about four runs an over, the pressure started to build.

Three quick wickets meant the chase started to get our of hand. Annabel Sutherland tried her best to keep Victoria in the hunt with an unbeaten 35, but it wasn't enough to get them close to the target.

 

Breif Scores: 

Western Australia 194 in 49 overs (Nicole Bolton 63, Megan Banting 46; Belinda Vakarewa 3-27, Maisy Gibson 2-33) beat  Tasmania 178 in 44 overs (Corrine Hall 55, Erin Fazackerley 27; N Bolton 2-26, Taneale Peschel 2-29) by 16 runs. PoM: Nicole Bolton.

South Australia 195/8 in 37 overs (Bridget Patterson 78*, Tahlia McGrath 59; Rachel Trenaman 2-16, Rene Farrell 2-37) lost to New South Wales 191/5 in 43.1 overs (Tahlia Wilson 95*, Naomi Stalenberg 42) by five wickets. PoM: Tahlia Wilson.

Australian Capital Territory 168/6 in 33 overs (Katie Mack 63, Anna Lanning 46) beat Victoria 150/4 in 33 overs (Makinley Blows 48, Elyse Villani 41) by 18 runs. PoM: Katie Mack.