Women’s U19 National Championships, Perth: NSW Metro finish as undefeated champions
The NSW Metro women are heading home from Perth as Cricket Australia Under 19 National Champions. See the PHOTO GALLERY from the final at the WACA, and find out all the award winners and who made the 2023 T20 World Cup squad.
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In her last U19 nationals tournament, skipper Claire Moore has signed off in style, scoring a game high 62 to help guide NSW Metro to the Cricket Australia Under 19 Nationals title.
GRAND FINAL SUMMARY
Buoyed by the failure of missing out on last season’s final, Moore stood up when the team needed it most.
An unbeaten 114 in Sunday’s final round match sent the previously undefeated Vic Country crashing back to earth, and in today’s final, Moore once again dashed Victorian hopes.
In a tournament where the champions finished unbeaten with a perfect eight-from-eight record, the captain’s stats were just as impressive. In eight digs, the Parramatta right-hander registered one ton and a pair of fifties as she accumulated 371 runs, the competition’s second highest, at a championship best average of 92.75.
Having easily accounted for Vic Country after building scoreboard pressure the day before, at the WACA, the roles were reversed.
After winning the toss, the Vics then look untroubled at 3/141 after 35 overs. Then shortly after Jasmine Nevins reached a patient fifty, she became the second Vic to be run out by the magic left-arm of Samira Dimeglio.
It proved to be the turning point.
Opening bowler Zoya Thakur returned to the attack, and the right-arm quick bagged another three wickets to finish with 4/32, her best performance of the trip, as Victoria slumped to 182 all out.
Once again, Kate Pelle got the Metro reply off to a flyer. With four boundaries in the opening two overs, there were murmurs the Blues had seats on the early flight home.
But the busy keeper fell for 21, then Dimeglio followed with the score on 28. And when Elsa Hunter departed, at 3/58 the final was in the balance.
Frankie Nicklin then joined Moore, and the pair steadied the ship.
Flagged pre-tournament as an emerging right-hander, coach Sarah Aley would have been delighted by Nicklin’s maturity in crafting a measured 53 off 96 deliveries.
In combination with the unflappable Moore, the two wrestled back the ascendancy. Their 102-run partnership edged Metro to within 20 of the title.
In the end, Manly’s Lauren Kua was by the skipper’s side as Metro coasted beyond the target with eight overs to spare.
AWARDS - UNDER 19 FEMALE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022-23
Champions: NSW Metropolitan
Player of the Final: Zoya Thakur (NSW Metro)
Player of the Tournament: Claire Moore (NSW Metro)
Highest Run Scorer: Ella Hayward (Victoria Metro), 385 runs @ 77
Leading Wicket Taker: Ananaya Sharma (NSW Metro) 16 wickets @ 7.81
AUSTRALIA UNDER 19 T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD - SOUTH AFRICA 2023 (NSW selections)
Jade Allen (NSW Country/Parramatta)
Claire Moore (NSW Metro/Parramatta)
Kate Pelle (NSW Metro/ Parramatta)
Non-travelling reserves
Samira Dimeglio (NSW Metro/Sydney)
Ananaya Sharma (NSW Metro/Penrith)
GRAND FINAL SCORES
Vic Country 10/182, 45.2 overs (Nevins 53, Davidge 29, Thakur 4/32, Briscoe 1/18, Nicklin 1/22, Sharma 1/27) lost to NSW Metro 4/186, 42 overs (Moore 62*, Nicklin 53, Pelle 21, Syan 1/12, Nevins 1/12) at the WACA Ground
DAY 5 SUMMARY
After winning the toss, NSW Metro quickly stamped their authority over Vic Country with dashing openers Samira Dimeglio and Katie Pelle. The pair raced the score to an almost run-a-ball 52 before the explosive Pelle fell first, closely followed by Dimeglio.
At 2/64, Moore didn’t bat an eyelid. Already a member of the NSW Breakers squad, the Parramatta right-hander quickly showed why as she set about turning the screws on the Vic bowlers.
Finishing with 13 boundaries, Moore’s title shaping knock of 114 came from 127 deliveries and advanced her tournament tally to 309 runs – the second most in the competition – at an average of 77.25.
Along with Penrith’s Elsa Hunter, their third wicket partnership of 132 formed the backbone of Metro’s massive 4/269 from 50 overs.
In response, Vic Country failed to fire a shot. A steady flow of wickets saw them slump to 6/96, before 15-year-old Lucy Finn announced herself on the nationals stage.
Following a week of limited opportunities, the tall right-armer was given the ball and promptly cleaned up the tail taking 4/13 as Vic Country crashed for a disappointing total of 127.
At Lilac Hill, NSW Country were once again well served by the all-round class of Penrith’s Beth Lane. Having taken 4/33 the previous day, the leg spinner then opened the batting and top scored with 62 to help set Western Australia a challenging 203.
A partnership of 112 by the local openers dashed any hopes of a Country victory. Maddison McGuigan struck with a couple of late wickets, but the home side were never headed in rounding out a five-wicket win with seven overs to spare.
GRAND FINAL: NSW METRO v VIC COUNTRY at the WACA GROUND, Monday 12 December, 1.30PM (AEDT)
DAY 5 SCORES
NSW Country 7/203, 50 overs (Lane 62, McGuirk 23, Allen 23, Black 22) lost to Western Australia 5/204, 43.1 overs (McGuigan 2/23, Black 1/29, Lane 1/43) at Lilac Hill No.2
NSW Metro 4/269, 50 overs (Moore 114*, Hunter 43, Pelle 27) defeated Vic Country 10/127, 36 overs (Finn 4/13, Thakur 1/16, Nicklin 1/16, Bryson- Smith 1/16) at Stevens Reserve (East Oval)
Other Day 4 results:
Tasmania 10/150 lost to Queensland 3/151
South Australia 7/176 defeated Vic Metro 10/109
DAY 4 SUMMARY
Even without Ananaya Sharma, the competition’s leading wicket taker, NSW Metro didn’t skip a beat in comfortably accounting for the ACT by nine wickets.
In a team loaded with talent, it was Frankie Nicklin who stepped up with the ball, rocking the ACT line-up with a hat-trick on route to a match turning 4/29 from 10 overs.
Better known for her prowess with the bat for Universities, it was the opener’s off spin that came up trumps.
With the score on 2/95, first she trapped in-form opener Alana Horsfall in front of the stumps. From there, the ACT innings quickly unravelled as Nicklin immediately orchestrated two golden ducks.
Skipper Claire Moore then chipped in late, joining pace bowlers Zoya Thakur and Amelia Sim with two wickets each.
Set a target of 149, the chase was one way traffic. After Kinjal Kumari (58*) and Samira Dimeglio (41) put on 96 for the first wicket, Moore (34*) then struck a pair of sixes as Metro cruised to a sixth consecutive victory in the 28th over.
Up against the undefeated Vic Country, the NSW Country combination held their own with the ball.
Penrith spinner Beth Lane (4/33) and Newcastle seamer Maddison McGuigan (3/12) did the bulk of the heavy lifting as the Victorians were rolled for a gettable 190 in the second last over.
With the bat, it was an afternoon the Country girls would rather forget. Outside of Callee Black (15) and Katie Letcher (11), no other batter reached double figures in a heartbreaking total of 58.
Tomorrow is a rest day before the action resumes on Sunday when NSW Metro meet Vic Country in a battle of the only unbeaten teams.
After licking their wounds, NSW Country will look to rebound when they come against Western Australia.
DAY 4 SCORES
ACT 10/149, 42.1 overs (Nicklin 4/29 inc hat-trick, Moore 2/11, Thakur 2/24) lost to NSW Metro 1/150, 27.1 overs (Kumari 58*, Dimeglio 41, Moore 34*) at Sutherlands Park No.2
Vic Country 10/190, 48.1 overs (Lane 4/33, McGuigan 3/12, Eve 1/33, Allen 1/33) defeated NSW Country 10/58, 29.3 overs (Black 15, Letcher 11) at Iluka Sports Complex No.2
Other Day 4 results:
South Australia 9/238 defeated Queensland 10/149
Vic Metro 4/293 (Hayward 156*) defeated Tasmania 10/157
DAY 3 SUMMARY
A classy 65 by Elsa Hunter helped NSW Metro extend their unbeaten run to five games. At 6/81 against a winless Tasmania, the Blues campaign looked to be taking a turn for the worst.
But when the Penrith right-hander found a willing ally in Gordon skipper Kinjal Kumari, the pair stemmed the flow of wickets in a match saving 85-run partnership.
Chasing 212, Tassie initially took a shine to the pace of Ella Briscoe. After blasting 23 from her first three overs, they steadied and at 1/91 held the upper hand.
Left-arm off spinner Samira Dimeglio proved the partnership breaker, and from there the wickets continued to tumble as NSW Metro marched to a comfortable 46 run win.
And what about the performance of Metro spin-queen Ananaya Sharma?
After being kept wicketless in her first four overs, she eventually returned, adding a remarkable four scalps to the 11 she claimed on the opening two days.
NSW Country had no such fortune, a clutter of late wickets proved costly as they went down by three wickets to South Australia.
Batting first, Claire McGuirk (45) and Kate McTaggart (29) put on 60 for the second wicket and when Jade Allen (51) continued her good form, Country were flying.
But when Beth Lane was run out with the score on 151, it was the start of a horror seven wicket collapse that saw Country eventually dismissed for 185.
With the ball, the three Country spinners toiled hard. Led by Allen’s 2/31, and along with Lane and the dependable left-arm of Sienna Eve, they combined for 29 overs and took the match to the second last ball.
Tomorrow doesn’t get any easier for NSW Country. They head to the north coastal suburb of Iluka for a clash with the unbeaten Victoria Country, while NSW Metro return to Sutherlands Park and a contest against the winless ACT.
DAY 3 SCORES
NSW Metro 10/212, 46.5 overs (Hunter 65, Kumari 24) defeated Tasmania 10/166, 43.3 overs (Sharma 4/29, Kua 2/23, Mavros 1/8) at Sutherlands Park No.1
NSW Country 10/185, 47.4 overs (Allen 51, McGuirk 45, McTaggart 29) lost to South Australia 7/186, 49.5 overs (Allen 2/31, Bray 1/17, McTaggart 1/24) at Sutherlands Park No.2
Other Day 3 results:
ACT 9/189 lost to Vic Metro 3/190
Queensland 9/237 defeated Western Australia 10/95
DAY 2 SUMMARY
After falling to NSW Metro the previous evening, with ball in hand, NSW Country bounded out of the gates on day two restricting Tasmania to a modest total of 100 runs. Left-armer Sienna Eve struck early with the new ball, the Newcastle spinner’s two wickets put Tassie on the back foot before seamer Maddison McGuigan chipped in with another.
In reply, Country were made to work hard. Gunnedah opener Claire McGuirk struck 27 before Country slumped to 4/55. A brisk unbeaten 22 by wicketkeeper Katie Letcher eventually guided the side to a much needed three-wicket win.
NSW Metro’s Ananaya Sharma continued her day one wicket taking antics, finishing with 3/18 in Queensland’s 8 for 127. The Penrith offie was ably supported by the left-arm pace of Grace Bryson-Smith, the Sydney speedster removed the dangerous Mikayla Wrigley for 40 on the way to taking 2/17 from three overs.
Parramatta openers Katie Pelle and captain Claire Moore made short work of the chase, reaching the target inside 15 overs. Pelle notched her second fifty of the tournament with an unbeaten 52 from 39 balls, while Moore cleared the rope twice in a menacing 70 not out off just 48 deliveries.
In the afternoon session, Country restricted Queensland to 8/123 with Jade Allen and Kate McTaggart the multiple wicket takers in an at times ill disciplined team bowling performance that included 16 wides.
In response, Country failed to get out of second gear after the loss of two early wickets. Allen tried to lift the tempo before falling for 26. Caoimhe Bray struck a brisk 20 towards the end, but it wasn’t enough and Country slipped to its second loss by a margin of 29 runs.
In the clash of the Metro kingpins, Victoria had no answer to the nagging consistency of the NSW bowlers. Sharma went wicketless for the first time in four matches, but she only conceded 16 runs from four overs. Manly leg spinner Lauren Kua finished with two wickets, while pace ace Ella Briscoe bowled two maiden overs in her 1/13 off four.
Even though the destructive Pelle was rested with the bat, NSW Metro still charged to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory inside the 16th over. Once again, Moore applied the blowtorch with a blazing 32 from 25 balls.
Samira Dimeglio enjoyed her limited time in the middle, in 18 deliveries, the left-hander found the fence on four occasions to remain unbeaten on 23.
Wednesday is a rest day before the action continues on Thursday when the 50-over contests begin.
After two days of competition, Vic Country and NSW Metro top the ladder as the only unbeaten teams. NSW Country sit fourth on the table and remain in finals contention.
DAY 2 SCORES
Tasmania 9/100, 20 overs (Eve 2/9, Lane 1/9, Black 1/19, McGuigan 1/20) lost to NSW Country 7/104, 18.5 overs (McGuirk 27, Letcher 22*) at Hillcrest Park (Lower)
Queensland 8/127, 20 overs (Sharma 3/18, Bryson-Smith 2/17, Kua 1/12, Mavros 1/18) lost to NSW Metro 0/128, 14.3 overs (Moore 70*, Pelle 52*) at Hillcrest Park (Upper)
Queensland 8/123, 20 overs (Allen 3/28, McTaggart 2/16, McGuirk 1/2, Eve 1/16) defeated NSW Country 7/94, 20 overs (Allen 26, Bray 20) at Hillcrest Park (Upper)
Vic Metro 7/96, 20 overs (Kua 2/18, Dimeglio 1/8, Briscoe 1/13) lost to NSW Metro 3/98, 15.4 overs (Moore 32, Dimeglio 23*) at Hillcrest Park (Lower)
Other Day 2 results:
Western Australia 10/47 lost to Vic Country 4/48
ACT 10/58 lost to South Australia 7/59
Vic Country 4/154 defeated ACT 5/106
Western Australia 9/102 defeated South Australia 10/86
DAY 1 SUMMARY
NSW Metro’s Ananaya Sharma was the star of day one taking a phenomenal eight wickets in her side’s two T20 victories. After taking the most wickets in last season’s tournament, the Penrith off spinner proved unplayable finishing with two four-wicket hauls on the opening day.
In Metro’s first match, Sharma (4/6) and 15-year-old speedster Alex Mavros (3/4) did the damage as South Australia were bowled out for 86 runs.
In reply, Kate Pelle continued her excellent club form. The Parramatta keeper blasted 54 off just 45 deliveries as Metro rounded out a comprehensive eight-wicket win with just under five overs to spare.
On the adjoining ground, Country easily accounted for ACT by 64 runs. Newcastle's Kate McTaggart scored a run-a-ball 43 and in partnership with captain Jade Allen (48 off 38 balls), the pair put on 73 as Country raced to 146 for the loss of just three wickets.
Allen then backed up with the ball, the Breakers leg spinner dismantled ACT’s middle order with 3/12, before 13-year-old Caoimhe Bray rounded out a perfect nationals debut with two wickets in consecutive balls.
The side’s then faced off in one of four afternoon matches. After winning the toss, Metro skipper Claire Moore strode to the wicket with Parramatta teammate Pelle. The pair added 69 before Allen and spin partner Beth Lane stemmed the flow of runs, restricting the city side to 122 from their allotted 20 overs.
Ella Briscoe then struck with the new ball to remove Country opener Claire McGuirk before Newcastle’s Clare Webber and McTaggart took the score to 40. But it was Sharma’s day, and once again the right-armer wove her magic. Her second bag of four wickets helping Metro to a 21-run victory, and a perfect two from two record.
DAY 1 SCORES
NSW Country 3/146, 20 overs (Allen 48, McTaggart 43, McGuirk 23) defeated ACT 10/82, 19.4 overs (Allen 3/12, Bray 2/5, Black 2/21) at Burrendah Park No. 1
South Australia 10/86, 19.4 overs (Sharma 4/6, Mavros 3/4) lost to NSW Metro 2/87, 15.2 overs (Pelle 54, Nicklin 16*) at Burrendah Park No. 2
NSW Metro 5/122, 20 overs (Moore 40, Pelle 38, Allen 2/21, Eve 1/18, Black 1/26) defeated NSW Country 10/101, 19.5 overs (Webber 26, McTaggart 18, Sharma 4/16, Bryson-Smith 3/12) at Burrendah Park No. 2
Other Day 1 results:
Western Australia 1/136 defeated Tasmania 10/98
Vic Metro 9/105 lost to Vic Country 7/106
Queensland 5/164 defeated ACT 9/98
Vic Metro 5/134 defeated Western Australia 5/128
Tasmania 6/124 lost to Vic Country 0/125
MEET THE NSW METRO AND COUNTRY STARS
The state’s best underage regional and metropolitan talent are in Perth where NSW will field two teams in the Under 19 National Female Cricket Championships between 5-12 December.
Having missed out on a place in last season’s final in Adelaide, the NSW teams will be out for revenge in what doubles as the final opportunity to impress selectors before next year’s inaugural ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.
According to Metro coach Sarah Aley both squads have prepared well for the tournament, which for many, will be their first taste of carnival cricket.
“Both the Metro and Country squads have been training since July and will face-off in several T20 games before heading over to Perth,” said former Aussie quick, Aley
“Some of the younger players are still available for U16s next year. While they may not see a lot of game time, they’ll benefit from the experience of seeing first-hand how the NSW system works and what is expected at national carnivals.
“They will also become better people and have a greater insight to what it takes to become a professional cricketer.”
Comprising T20 and 50 over formats, the national championships represent the final chance to impress before the T20 World Cup squad is named.
“Both NSW teams are scheduled to play four T20 matches in the opening two days of the carnival,” said Aley, who will also coach the U19 Australian T20 team.
“The national team for the World Cup will be named at the completion of the competition on 12 December. The squad will then assemble in Sydney on 3 January and depart the following day to South Africa.”
Meet the metro and country stars representing NSW in Perth.
NSW U19 METRO, coach Sarah Aley
Claire Moore, Parramatta
Already part of the NSW Breakers squad, the right-hand opener returns to the u19 format where she was named in the team of the championships last season. Known for her technical approach and willingness to take the game on, Moore will captain the side in what will be her final appearance at an underage nationals.
Frankie Nicklin, Universities
The emerging right-hander returned to open for Universities after an off-season in England. Considered unorthodox, Nicklin enjoys sweeping the spinners and rotating the strike. Heads to Perth with a fifty under her belt from the most recent round of NSW Women’s Premier Cricket where she also bowls handy off-spin.
Kate Pelle, Parramatta
A wicketkeeper and hard hitting right-hander, Pelle’s no fear attitude with the willow is expected to combat the new ball in both formats. Boards the plane with confidence, having recently scored back-to-back half centuries for Parramatta.
Elsa Hunter, Penrith
Still only 17, the talented right-hander has played regular T20 internationals for Malaysia. Hit an unbeaten 79 at no. 3 for Penrith recently and is known as a reliable fielder with leadership potential.
Kinjal Kumari, Gordon
Another wicketkeeper, Kinjal captain’s her club side and is just as comfortable facing the new ball or propping up the middle order. Better suited to 50-over cricket at this stage of her development, she is young enough to back up again at next year’s nationals.
Ella Briscoe, St George-Sutherland
A bustling right-arm quick, Briscoe is also a noted middle-order batter. A recent call up to the Thunder WBBL squad as an injury replacement will have done wonders for the 17-year-old’s confidence.
Ananaya Sharma, Penrith
Sharma finished as the leading wicket-taker at last season’s u19 nationals. In Perth, the right-arm offie can once again expect to bowl plenty of overs. Recently helped her club side to victory, taking 5 for 12 in a T20 contest at Howell Oval.
Lauren Kua, Manly Warringah
The right-arm leg spinner jumped ship from Gordon to Manly in the off-season where in addition to taking regular wickets, she has played several destructive run-a-ball innings as an opening batter.
Alex Mavros, Parramatta
One of a number of selections still available for the U16s next year, the former Port Macquarie based speedster is certainly one with a bright future. Capable of lively outswing, Mavros has also shown her class with the bat in Parramatta’s lower order.
Zoya Thakur, Parramatta
Thakur is a right-arm opening pace bowler and capable top order batter who is once again representing NSW at U19 level. Worked hard on her strength and fitness during the off-season and has been rewarded with an extra yard of pace.
Samira Dimeglio, Sydney
The Sydney left-hander recently returned to cricket after an extended break and has opened the batting with several useful contributions. Has also found form with her left-arm orthodox.
Grace Bryson-Smith, Sydney
The pacy left-armer has made a successful return from injury and is considered a useful point of difference to the Metro attack. A noted hard hitter, Bryson-Smith is capable of packing a punch in the lower order.
Amelia Sim, Sydney
Young and raw, Sim is a talented javelin thrower and right-arm quick. She has been in the pathways system for a while now and has been flagged as one to benefit from an extended trip away.
Lucy Finn, St George-Sutherland
Tall and strong, Finn has the attributes to be a quality all-rounder. Another available for U16s next year, the right-hander made her first grade debut this season and has shown glimpses of her best with both bat and ball.
NSW U19 COUNTRY, coach Hannah Trethewy
Callee Black, Western
A great athlete, the Orange based all-rounder makes the regular commute to open the bowling for Penrith. Still only 16, the left-handed Indigenous rep also has a game awareness that exceeds her age.
Kate McTaggart, Newcastle
The 16-year-old has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball at previous underage championships, and this season had no trouble transitioning to first grade for Sydney club side Northern District. After taking three wickets with her right-arm medium pace, she then backed up to guide the team to victory with the bat.
Claire McGuirk, Central Northern
From Gunnedah, Claire enters her last u19 nationals after being named in the team of the championships earlier this year. An attacking right-hand batter also known for her medium pace change-ups, she heads west having just recovered from a broken thumb.
Sienna Eve, Newcastle
Another from Newcastle who plays club cricket in Sydney for Northern District, Sienna bowls left-arm orthodox and is a reliable contributor in the middle order.
Katie Letcher, Western
A wicketkeeper and proven middle order batter, Katie was recently named among the state’s top 16 young cricketers awarded with a Basil Sellers Scholarship. A proud Broken Hill junior, she has now relocated to Sydney and plays for Manly Warringah in the Sydney first grade competition.
Samira Mitchell, North Coastal
This season is Samira’s first in the U19 reps. A hard hitting right-hand top order specialist, she has quick hands and great game awareness. Still residing in Taree, she often makes her way to Sydney where she opens the batting for Gordon.
Maddison McGuigan, Newcastle
Maddison’s sharp outswing and nagging line and length saw her named in the team of the U19 championship last season. Another to play for Northern District, the right-armer has also opened the batting at club level in recent weeks.
Jade Allen, Southern NSW
Jade is a current member of the NSW Breakers and Sydney Sixers. Originally from the south coast town of Cobargo, this will be the final time the right-arm leg spinner and middle order batter competes at an underage nationals.
Tara French, Central Coast
A right-arm quick from Terrigal, French has been showcasing her raw pace with the new ball for Northern District this season. With the bat, the 16-year-old shows no fear of hitting over the top, and in her spare time can often be found chasing the local waves.
Clare Webber, Newcastle
After a short break from the game, Webber has returned to open the batting for Northern District and will be excited for her final appearance at the nationals. Selected from outside the state squad, the right-hander’s powerful presence will be expected to help bring the side together.
Beth Lane, Penrith
A right-arm leg spinner for Penrith, Beth will represent Country following her selection from the extended Metro squad. Known for bowling tight lines, her recent performances have been tidy and economical.
Charlie Lamont, Riverina
Charlie is an aggressive right-hander from the Riverina town of Leeton where she competes in the men’s competition.
Ava Ryan, North Coastal
Ava is a wicketkeeper and another progressing her skills at Northern District. Still residing in South West Rocks, earlier this month after making the 450 km trip south, the right-hander held out Parramatta’s first grade attack with a defiant 80 from the middle order.
Caoimhe Bray, Central Northern
At just 13, Caoimhe was understandably super excited when she received word of her selection from the team coach. A right-arm quick and dangerous batter, she has been a standout performer for Greater Hunter Coast in the U18s Brewer Shield competition.
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