Finals in grasping distance as Tigers old and new roar
The Tasmanian Tigers are on the precipice of their first WNCL finals after smashing the Western Fury to sit atop the ladder with one game to go.
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THE Tasmanian Tigers are on the precipice of their first WNCL finals after smashing the Western Fury yesterday to sit atop the ladder with just one game to go.
And they did so with a team containing the youngest ever player to represent a Tasmanian senior team.
The Tigers tore apart the Western Fury at Casey Fields in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs by 78 runs to secure the win and a bonus point.
They did so with New Town’s Amy Smith making her debut aged just 14 — surpassing the previous record of 15-year-old’s Meg Phillips and Jack Badcock.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Georgia Redmayne was the star of the show, making a 98-ball 77 and sharing crucial partnerships of 77 with Corinne Hall (51 off 69) and 81 with Emma Thompson (43 off 54) playing her 50th game.
The Tigers’ total of 9-242 appeared a mountain after veteran Veronica Pyke dismissed Bhavi Devchand off the first ball of the innings, and they were eventually bowled out for just 164.
Redmayne said the finals were in touching distance but not a certainty just yet with NSW equal on points and Queensland and the ACT the chasing pack.
“It will be a big game against Victoria on Sunday, we will be treating it as a semi-final to be honest because if we win we will definitely make the finals,” Redmayne said.
Smith did not just make up the numbers on her debut.
She made a handy 10 not out at the end of the Tigers’ innings, and then chipped in with 1-14 off five overs of leg-spin, including a wicket in her first over.
“Her first over was a wicket maiden,” Redmayne said. “She probably thought it was pretty easy to be honest.
“It was great to see her go so well, she didn’t seem fazed by it at all, which is really good for not only a young player, but a leg-spinner in general making their debut.
“It is a hard skill to control at times but I thought she handled the pressure really well and showed really good control with the ball.
“I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty more of her in the future.”
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