After a first round bye, reigning back-to-back Women’s National Cricket League champions Tasmania has begun their title defence with a pair of wins over the ACT Meteors at EPC Solar Park in Phillip this week.
The Meteors were left with a lengthening casualty list after Sunday’s first game of the round, going down to Tasmania by 120 runs.
Sent into bat after ACT captain Katie Mack won the toss and bowled, the Tigers finished with 8/303 from their 50 overs, thanks to a well-made 90 from Nicola Carey, and 75 from Naomi Stalenberg.
Jannatul Sumona took 2-57 from her 10 overs for the Meteors, and Amy Hunter’s 2-60 from 9, in her ACT and WNCL debut were the standouts with the ball.
In reply, the Meteors lost early wickets before Rebecca Carter (49) and Annie Wikman (43) added 55 for the third wicket. Tasmania’s bowlers toiled away though, were rewarded with regular wickets, and secured victory in the 43rd over, bowling the ACT out for 183.
Injuries cursed the Meteors all day, with bowler Angie Genford ruled out before play, Holly Ferling sustained a suspected side strain in just her second over of the day (which prevented her batting), while Carly Leeson also sustained a leg injury while bowling that saw her come into bat as the final wicket.
Gabrielle Sutcliffe was ruled out of both Tasmania games late in the week too, while allrounder Grace Dignam suffered a hamstring injury playing Grade Cricket in Sydney over the weekend.
All five players will know more about the extent of their injuries and likely recovery time this week.
On Tuesday, the Tigers rolled the ACT for 147 in 41.1 overs in their innings with Molly Strano the main destroyer, taking 4-32 from her ten overs.
Olivia Porter made 51 on her recall to the Meteors side, while Katie Mack was annoyed to run herself out for 27.
In reply, Tasmania made short work of the run-chase, reaching 4/150 in 24.2 overs. Lizelle Lee tuned up for the WBBL with an unbeaten 77 from 71 balls, while skipper and opening partner Elyse Villani made 38.
Mack was a surprise wicket-taker for the Meteors, finishing with 3-16 from four overs with her off-breaks, while legspinner Chelsea Moscript finished with 1-34 on her ACT and WNCL debut.
The WNCL now breaks for the Women's Big Bash League, with the Meteors returning to the field in mid-December, hosting Queensland in Canberra.