Sunshine Coast women’s cricket captains name top players and finals aims

With just two wins separating first and last in the Sunshine Coast women’s cricket competition, the tier one captains have uncovered their leading players, rising rookies and key team positives ahead of finals.

Sunshine Coast women's cricket.

With just one regular season round remaining and finals spots still up for grabs, the Sunshine Coast tier one women’s cricket captains have revealed all.

After nine rounds of entertaining one-day matches it’s been a season of unpredictable results, weather drama and surprising upsets while only 10 points separate first and fifth place.

Ahead of finals, we've spoken to every first grade captain to gauge their side’s strengths, weaknesses, standout players and key aims for the remaining matches.

All captains were contacted before the time of publishing.

CABOOLTURE: 1st

Wins: 4 Losses: 2 No Results: 3 Pts: 42.0

Captain: Amy Baker

Caboolture women's cricket team.

Key Players: “In tier one we’ve got Brianna Coffin who is leading our run scorers tally and is in the top three overall. She’s always going to be one to watch out for, she’s still a junior coming through but is already an absolute gun. We’ve got a new signing too in Jess Martin, she used to play for Queensland and is obviously going to be a solid addition to our side. Then there’s also Camryn Barnett who plays second grade for the Scorchers women but we act as her affiliated club so when she’s available she’s unreal.”

Strengths and Weaknesses: “We’ve kept our core groups together and have been able to work out our solid tier one and tier two teams which has been great, especially when we weren’t sure if we had the numbers for two sides at the start of the season. Our new committee has been great so it’s been about keeping those core groups together as they gel more and more on and off the field. Probably the biggest weaknesses and it’s a weird one, but we’ve probably got too many players. It’s been really good but it also means that unfortunately some people miss out each round. That and the weather, that’s been another spanner in the works.”

Finals aim: “Both tier one and tier two are sitting at the top or in the top order which is great. Our goal is to finish off solid as we’ve got the sides to come home strong and even go all the way. The main goal for us as a club is for Caboolture to take home their first female premierships in tier one, tier two or even both which would be amazing.”

COOROY-EUMUNDI: 2nd

Wins: 4 Losses: 3 No Results: 2 Pts: 41.0

Captain: Amanda Tie

Cooroy Eumundi women's cricket team. Picture: Facebook.

Key Players: “It’s difficult to single players out as the team has really found its groove this season, continuing to learn and build upon the basic skills has started to pay off for the team. Kaylah Naylor in only her second season is topping the team in both bowling and batting stats, currently sitting fifth for bowling and in the top 10 for batting across the Sunshine Coast women’s comp. Kat Anderson and Murraya Buckley have also contributed significantly to the team’s bowling figures. With the batter and bowlers performing consistently, the team has really come together this season.”

Strengths and Weaknesses: “The consistency of our bowling has really improved this season and the team’s fielding has been absolutely top notch with some unbelievable efforts resulting in crucial wickets at critical times. The team’s supportive and developmental culture is a real strength both on and off the field.”

Finals aim: “We are currently sitting fourth on the ladder and finishing the season strong. To make the finals after finishing last on the ladder last year would be a fantastic testament to the hard work the team has put in over the past 18 months. Our aim is always to play to our best, do the basics well and keep developing across all aspects of the game. The team is hoping to provide some off-season opportunities for any women interested in playing or learning the game. If any women or girls are interested in being part of a great team and supportive cricket culture, please reach out via Cooroy Eumundi Cricket Club Facebook page.”

CALOUNDRA: 3rd

Wins: 4 Losses: 4 No Results: 1 Pts: 35.0

Captain: Maleesa Dukes

Caloundra cricketer Natasha Woodgate (right). Picture: Contributed.

Key Players: “I think collectively this year we’ve all played very similar roles and I think every single player has stepped up from last season. Natasha Woodgate is our top runscoers and ranks second overall for the women’s competition. She’s scored a couple of 50s which is always a positive and puts some positive support back into the team.”

Strengths and Weaknesses: “The competition is really close, each week we go into our games knowing we can’t be too confident because anyone can beat anyone. The results can go either way and the match can turn pretty quickly so it’s kept everyone interested. Our fielding has been a real positive I think. We’ve been really impressive this season, taking catches, stopping runs and just overall communication. I’d say something we need to work on is each player contributing a bit more with the bat. There’s been a few games where we’ve lost by 20 or 30 runs which is just five or 10 runs extra per each player. If we can all chip in a bit more when we’re out there it would be a key area for improvement.”

Finals aim: “I think the focus is one putting it all together now at the pointy end of the season. We've worked well in training all year so it’s key that we peak at the right time to play our best cricket when it matters. If we can refine everything before and during finals it will go a long way. I’d say good luck to all the other teams, it’s been a really great season as the comradery and inter-club relationships are really positive. It’s always nice to be out there because you know you’re going to have a good time.”

COOLUM: 4th

Wins: 4 Losses: 4 No Results: 1 Pts: 34.0

Captain: Sammy Franks

Coolum Women's cricket team celebrate winning the 2022/23 Division 1 grand final.

Key Players: “ The Coolum Sharkettes have seen skill development and improvement with all players throughout the season. In particular Sarah Beechy and Kara Petersen have demonstrated consistent performances this season. A big thank you to our coach Stefan Hook.”

Strengths and Weaknesses: “ Our biggest strength would have to be our high energy fielding. We have worked hard to limit our bowling extras (no balls, wides) and running between the wickets to increase our batting run rate.”

Finals aim: “We are setting goals each game of having high energy, playing well individually and as a team, and most of all having fun. This season has been quite competitive across all teams. We are aiming to make the finals knowing the last few games will be tough.”

GLASSHOUSE: 5th

Wins: 3 Losses: 4 No Results: 2 Pts: 32.0

Captain: Melinda Shelley

Could not be contacted.

YANDINA: 6th

Wins: 2 Losses: 4 No Results: 3 Pts: 26.0

Captain: Kylie Taylor

Yandina women's cricket team. Picture: Facebook.

Key Players: “We’ve got a few new starters who have all done pretty well but it’s probably the usual standouts who have again been great for us this season.

Strengths and Weaknesses: “Yandina has always had a very good club culture and team cohesion and I’d say this year more than any we’ve got a strong bowling line-up. Our batters have always been very stable so that’s improved even more so this year which is good. Our biggest weakness is that we’ve had a pretty messy season overall and had to heavily rotate players due to work commitments, weather, injury and sickness. That impacts training in general and then we’ve got players that travel two hours to play so we just haven't got that key commitment due to outside factors of player availability.”

Finals aim: “We’d love to just finish the season strong. The start of the season didn’t really go to plan and then the weather has had a fair impact on the season so if we can snag some more wins that would be great. This season out of all of them so far has definitely been the most competitive. In previous seasons those top sides have kicked away but this year it’s a much more even playing field and I’ve really enjoyed the competition. There’s plenty of work gone on behind the scenes as they wanted to build two strong competitions so it’s great to see that happen and all the ladies enjoying their cricket and the blossoming friendships.”