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Villani century guide Victoria home; Haynes, Gardner help Breakers register their first win

Women's CricZone Staff

28 Feb 2021

New Update

Villani century guide Victoria home; Haynes, Gardner help Breakers register their first win — Elyse Villani (L), Ashleigh Gardner (R) © Getty Images

An unbeaten century from Elyse Villani and a four-fer from Molly Strano helped Victoria beat Tasmanian Tigers by five wickets in the WNCL fixture on Sunday(February 28). In the other game, South Australian Scorpions lost to New South Wales Breakers by four wickets.

Batting first, the Tasmanian Tigers lost Rachel Priest early. However, Sasha Moloney and Nicola Carey built a 55-run partnership before the latter got out to Sophie Molineux. Heather Graham and Moloney kept the scoreboard moving as both brought up their half-centuries.

While Moloney made 69 from 10 balls, Graham scored a 78-ball 59. Naomi Stalenberg, who walked in at number five, took charge of the innings as wickets fell like a pack of cards at the other end. She made a counter-attacking 63 from 50 balls while Strano ran through their lower order. The Tigers eventually finished at 255 for nine in 50 overs.

Continuing their unbeaten run in the tournament, Victoria got off to a good start. Though they lost Molineux and Meg Lanning in a span of two deliveries, Ellyse Perry and Villani ensured that there was not any further damage.

They added 163 runs for the third wicket before Perry got out for an 88-ball 69 to Sam Bates. Though they lost another couple of wickets, Villani held one end strong as she remained unbeaten till the end with 133 runs from 124 balls. The Victoria chased the target in 48.1 overs.

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In the other fixture of the day, the Breakers won the toss and elected to bowl. Scorpions openers Bridget Patterson and Tahlia MacGrah added 26 runs before the former got out to Lauren Cheatle for ten runs from 16 balls.

Meanwhile, Mcgrath kept the innings going for the Scorpions as she made a 49-ball 41 before getting out to Hannah Darlington. Although Josie Dooley and Courtney Webb got starts, both did not convert it into big scores.

With Jemma Barbsy, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Tegan McPharlin getting out in quick succession, the Scorpions were reduced to 114 for seven. Annie O'Neil and Samantha Bates tried to rescue the innings. The former made 27 from 37 balls while the latter scored a 30-ball 13. They were eventually all out for 175 in 48.2 overs.

Chasing a moderate total, the Breakers lost Tahlia Wilson and Rachel Trenaman early. However, half-centuries from Rachael Haynes and Ashleigh Gardner helped them get through the chase. The former made a patient 69 from 90 balls. Gardner, on the other hand, remained not out till the end with a 74-ball 59, as they won the match by six wickets.

Brief Scores:

South Australian Scorpions 175/10in 48.2 overs (Tahlia McGrath 41; Hayley Silver-Holmes 3/13) lost to New South Wales Breakers 174/4 in 35.5 overs (Rachael Haynes 69; Darcie Brown 2/42) by six wickets.

Tasmanian Tigers Women 255/9 in 50 overs (Sasha Moloney 69; Molly Strano 4/46) lost to Victoria Women 256/5 in 48.1 overs (Elyse Villani 133*; Sam Bates 3/42) by five wickets.

Ellyse Perry Meg Lanning Rachael Haynes Elyse Villani Ashleigh Gardner WNCL Women's National Cricket League