Women’s Young Motors T20 Cricket League: Wanderers skipper Olivia Bidwell brings up league first milestone

Wanderers captain Olivia Bidwell brought up a league-first milestone in a weekend where the Young Motors T20 Cricket League results stuck to the script. Wanderers were too skilled for Towns in a Saturday night game at Wonthella, while Sporties had few issues dealing with Chapman Valley-Northampton at Mazzuchelli Oval on Sunday. Also on Saturday night, Bidwell became the first player in the league’s seven-year history to make 2000 runs, bringing up the milestone with her 23rd knock of 25 runs before being retired. Bidwell won the toss and chose to bowl and Towns, who had to make do with 10 players, made 7-59. Not a great tally but Wanderers are powerful while Towns are developing and for Towns to bat out their overs was enough for now. Captain Ruth Vorster (23) top-scored and worked hard until run out by ever-alert Wanderers keeper Charli Bidwell. No-one else notched double figures but credit to Emma Harris who endured for 32 balls in making eight not out thereby ensuring her side would not be bowled out. Towns’ running between the wickets is a work in progress as shown by three run outs. Ashlyn Thompson (2-8) was best of the bowlers though Abby Green’s four overs cost only five runs. Wanderers scored 8-128 in the reply with another four batters plus the captain retired. Runs were made by Green (19), Charli Bidwell (15), Nell Eastough (14) and Meg Spalding (13)., while Indiana Burns (2-13) was best of the bowlers. In Sunday’s match, Sporties beat CVN in oppressive heat by 36 runs after Sporties captain Jo Walker won the toss and batted. Her side made 5-89, which was enough to secure the win. Most of their runs were from openers Stacey Jerrard (32) and Dayne Cooper (27) who put on a match-defining 70-run stand despite great bowling from Alexia Wekwerth (3-15). In the chase, CVN were on target for about five overs before being restrained. None of their batters made more than eight and they ended at 7-53. Shyanne Thomas-Mirrielees (3-14) was the pick of the bowlers.