SOUTH Australia proved too strong for the ACT in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), picking up back-to-back wins last week.
One of the stars of the first of the clashes was South Australian bowler Jemma Barsby.
Stand in skipper while some of her teammates were away on international duty, she starred with the ball, taking 3/32 off seven overs, which ensured the already massive chase for the Meteors was made even harder.
Barsby’s first spell of the day saw her take 0/16 off three overs with one wide to her name. Coming into her second spell, it was the 20th over and ACT were 1/93 chasing South Australia’s massive tally of 322.
Although her first spell did not nab any wickets, she had been the one to take the catch to dismiss the first ACT wicket Rebecca Carter. She began the 20th over building up the pressure nicely.
Three dot balls to begin the over and with the speed in which Barsby gets through her overs, there was only time for frustration and pressure to mount. Then came the wicket ball.
Matilda Lugg hit the ball straight back at Barsby, and with a small dive to her left, Barsby took the catch and dismissed Lugg. It was almost a wicket maiden over but Carly Leeson managed to get a single off the final ball of the over.
Barsby’s second wicket came in the 35th over. The ACT had lost a few more wickets by this point and were sitting at 4/181. The over began with a single and then a dot before Barsby struck again.
Zoe Cooke had taken a step forward that was just a little bit too big and was too pre committed to her shot, allowing the ball to skid on past her and straight into her stumps. Barsby ended her over with a two, a dot and a single.
The third of Barsby’s wickets came only two overs later. ACT were 10 runs further ahead than they were at the start of Barsby’s previous over, and still a long way off reaching their target.
After an action packed beginning to the over, Barsby then struck again on the fifth ball of the over.
Annie Wikman hit the ball dead straight back at Barsby, and with no dive necessary she was able to take the catch and claim her second caught and bowled and third wicket of the innings.
Barsby finished the day with 3/32 off her seven overs to be a key player in the win.
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