Bs back in action - As down by three wickets

It was great to see the Bs back in action this week – after missing last year and having only one of the previous team which took the field two seasons ago (Nugget).

After a couple of late withdrawals and plenty of phone calls we were able to start with 10 players in Bs… Natasha Tillson (Kate’s niece), Chelsea Kennedy and Ella Wilson all debuted at the age of 11.

We welcomed Darren Lehmann Academy member Anna Kerrison from Ireland, Muskan Kaur and of course Sarah Taylor.

The Bs batted first making a competitive 76 off the slow running Park 23.  We had good contributions from  Rachel Dickinson  (7) and Bridee Tonkin (10) in their first B grade games. But the innings was anchored by Anna Kerrison who made a well-constructed 22 no off 39 balls.  Her off side shots were great, but she found the lack of pace of the bowlers difficult for fluent stroke play.

Prospect passed us two down.  Chelsea Kennedy took her first wicket for the club.

The As played at Eric Sutton Oval which, as usual, kept low and deteriorated as the afternoon progressed.

We batted first - batting all but our 50 overs.  Rachael Greenshields (11) and T Mac (41) gave us their usual solid start.  But their loss at 67 in the 19^th over saw us lose momentum – until a late flourish from Cara (7), Donna (11) and Brandi (8no) saw us make 163.

We took wickets at 37 (7^th over) and 61 (11^th) but state rep Sam Betts  (33) and former state player Tamara Clapton (67no) saw them to 132 with plenty of wickets left.  We caused a mini collapse taking 4/20 (with wickets to the McGrath sisters and two to Alicia Holt) but they scored the runs with 17 overs to spare.

Tahlia bowled well with 2/32 off 10 and sister Kayla took 1/5 off six.

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Highlights of the weekend…..

1. The first two shots played by Anna Kerrison were the most delicate of late cuts… almost from the wicketkeeper’s gloves…

2. Any time you see Sarah Taylor wicketkeep…. It is like watching a surgeon at work.  She stood up to the opening bowler for the state – Tahlia McGrath.  Her glovework on a pitch which was “up and down” was exquisite.  Had it not been for an umpire ….she would have had three stumpings….. She will certainly

keep the square leg umpires on their toes this year!

3. The debut of Ella Wilson who scored 4 no from 16 balls, fielded well, bowled an over of medium pace and wicketkept for the Bs!!!

4. First gamer Chelsea Kennedy who has not had her playing top off for at least three days and nights!

Anna Kerrison batting for Ireland Under 17s.