Match report by Phoebe Clarke
SHCC U13 Girls 2/70 def Marrickville 8/66
With Rosie as captain they sadly lost the toss and bowled first. Rosie started us off with an amazing over. The first ball, a dot ball, was fielded sharply and immense pressure was placed on the batting team. The first over had set the tone of the game incredibly well in our favour. They had pressure on the batters from the first ball and it only continued like that.
Second over was bowled by Arya. Another tight over, and great wicket-keeping from Adelaide kept up the pressure. Samara was thrown the ball for the third over and it was an incredible over. First 3 balls were full, fast dot balls and the fourth ball was extraordinarily caught by Phoebe. The ball was hit up in the air, close to the pitch but Phoebe sprinted in to catch it. It was an outstanding catch. The whole team cheered in delight at the first wicket. At the end of the over, Samara walked away from the crease with a wicket and only 1 run was scored.
Ivy-Jane and Zara bowled the fourth and fifth overs, respectively, with tight lines and lovely full pitch bowling. Kavya then bowled the sixth over, an outstanding one, getting a wicket on her second ball. It was pitched up on middle stump with incredible pace. It was impossible for the batter to even touch it. World-class wicket.
Lousha followed with her slingy fast bowling and challenged Marrickville’s top-line batters. Mia bowled the eighth, where all of her hard work in the nets paid off when she claimed the third wicket of the day. It came out of Mia’s hand a bit loopy and some thought it might’ve been a no ball but fortunately dropped right on the batter’s feet. Bowled out!
Phoebe bowled an extraordinary over after Mia and wickets kept tumbling with an amazing caught and bowled. It was a miracle how she caught it. It was hit low slightly to her right and Phoebe dived for it and miraculously caught it. Catch of the season people say. Phoebe now had 2 catches on her name. At the drinks break the batters had not many runs and immense pressure on them from tight bowling and fielding as well as the fall of wickets.
Orion bowled the second over after the break and it was probably one of the best overs of the day, with a wicket on her first ball. It was slow, centred and the batter misjudged. It was a cracker wicket but Orion was not done yet. On the third ball of the over Phoebe took an amazing catch. It was hit up but close to the pitch. Once again Phoebe nodded it into her hands as calmly as anyone could. Phoebe was on fire with her third catch.
And Phoebe’s impact with the ball continued. She bowled the fourteenth over and nabbed a wicket on her third ball. It swung in the air, landed on the batter’s toes and hit middle stump. Phoebe now had 2 wickets and 3 catches. An extraordinary feat!
The captain wanted the innings finished so again the ball was thrown to Samara. On the last ball of the over Samara did what Samara does so well - bowled fast, pitched up and centred. A magnificent ball that sent the bails flying. Samara’s two wickets in two overs for 4 runs.
Chasing 67 for the championship title, the starting batters were Kavya, on strike, and Phoebe. This batting pair had been batting together from the start of the season and are a great batting pair, they have the same idea of a run and trust each other's calls. Kavya got into it straight away hitting a boundary first ball. She showed them we meant business. That boundary set the tone for our success. Phoebe ended up hitting a skillful double on the 4th ball of the over. 13 runs from the first over.
Second over meant a second helping of boundary hitting. Boundary for Kavya on the first ball of the over again. 8 runs from the second over from skillful batting and calling.
Kavya retired not out in the third over with 10 runs to her name. Kavya set the tone for the batting while putting pressure on the other team from her intent batting.
Zara came in at number 3, another great batter at the top of the order. Zara was patient with the bowling. On the third ball of the next over, Zara was back on strike and sadly hit it straight to mid-off for a catch. Zara may have gotten caught but her positivity was contagious bringing everybody’s spirits up.
Arya then came to the crease and wasted no time getting a two and a risky single. Into the fifth over Arya was once again on strike and it was starting to get scorching hot - especially for the batters with their full kit on - and fatigue started crawling through. On the third ball of the over Arya barely just nicked it on the side of her bat and was caught behind by the keeper. Arya may’ve gotten out with 3 runs but her definite calling and patience brought confidence to the batters. Phoebe now welcomed Ivy-Jane to the striker's end. Ivy-Jane and Phoebe really turned up the gears to steal risky byes and singles.
Phoebe retired not out with 10 runs from the bat and the team total was 53 from Phoebe’s skillful but risky calling, taking advantage from every misfield.
Enter Adelaide and the runs kept flowing. At the start of over 8 a bad ball was bowled past the keeper and Ivy-Jane made a sneaky call getting 2 runs from the no ball. Ivy-Jane then retired with 9 runs to her name off 14 balls. Ivy-Jane’s sneaky singles brought the team total up.
When Rosie took her guard, the end was near. Rosie and Adelaide punished the bowlers and cruised into the ninth over. Meanwhile, on the sidelines the team was waiting in anticipation as they were close to winning. Rosie faced 4 balls making 3 runs. They were now tied with the other team and only needed one run to win. With Adelaide on strike the sidelines were buzzing. Adelaide punished a short ball and sent it to the boundary. The sidelines erupted, the team ran onto the field in excitement. Although many didn’t get to bat, their encouragement pushed the batters through to win the final before the drinks’ break.