A PERFORMANCE from returning South Australia skipper Jemma Barsby was pivotal in her side’s win over Western Australia which sees them continue to sit in second place ahead of the upcoming WNCL decider. 

Her knock in the first half contributed the second most runs by a SA player with 57 not out off 58 balls helping her team to their defendable total of 287. In the second portion, she took three wickets to remove the first three batters from WA, Chloe Piparo, Maddy Darke and Bhavisha Devchand.

After Emma De Broughe was removed by Emily Arlott for just five runs, it was Bridget Patterson (65 off 70 runs) and Courtney Webb (31 off 39), that set about building a partnership for their side. 

When Webb fell to Amy Edgar in the 12th over, two quick wickets followed with Hollie Armitage (two off two) and Madeline Penna (four off 13) joining her in the sheds inside 15 overs.

The middle order of South Australia were outstanding, taking their team from 4-80 to 7-205 when Amanda-Jade Wellington’s innings came to an end. Ellie Johnston joined her captain in making a half-century, while Wellington’s 22 from 32 balls was handy.

While quick Darcie Brown is not known for her batting, the number 11 managed an impressive 19 runs to finish not out alongside Barsby.

Edgar was the pick of the bowlers for the home side, taking three wickets for the day, while Taneale Peschel was reliable as usual, picking up two of her own. Arlott, Devchand and Lilly Mills all took a wicket each too.

In the pursuit of 287 runs, Western Australia looked threatening with opening Piparo (35 off 61) and Darke (74 off 91) combining for 18 overs before the former was out. Although they went they stayed in for a large chunk of the allotted overs, the strike rate for both batters was lacking which didn’t help their chase.

Devchand was removed for three after coming in after Piparo, however this saw the introduction of Mathilda Carmichael who hit her half-ton off 60 balls. 

From there wickets fell regularly, with South Australia bowling their opponents out with one ball to spare. Although they were close to winning the bonus point at one stage which could have seen them potentially host the final, SA had to settle for the four points for a win.

Taking the win by 47 runs, the visitors are ahead of NSW and Tasmania sitting ahead of both sides by one and four points respectively. With the sides playing again on Friday, a South Australian win should be more than enough to book themselves a chance to face Queensland, who have won the right to host a home final.

Western Australia vs South Australia

Result:South Australia won by 47 runs
POTM: Jemma Barsby (South Australia)
Toss: South Australia won the toss and elected to bat

Western Australia 240 (49.5)

Maddy Darke 74 (91), Mathilda Carmichael 50 (60)
Jemma Barsby 3-28 (9.0), Megan Scutt 3-49 (9.5), Amanda-Jade Wellington 2-47 (10.0)

South Australia 9/287 (50.0)

Bridget Patterson 65 (70), Jemma Barsby 57* (58)
Amy Edgar 3-47 (10.0), Taneale Peschel 2-40 (8.0)