Power packed Clarence to start favourite for women’s Kookaburra Cup title against Greater Northern

The inclusion of several Tasmanian stars has Clarence has favourites for the CTPL women’s Kookaburra Cup final, but Greater Northern boasts the competition leading run scorer.

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GREATER Northern are the only team to inflict defeat on Clarence in the women’s Kookaburra Cup competition but the Raiders will start big underdogs in Sunday’s final, according to star Emma Manix-Geeves.

The Roos compiled an 8-1 record during the regular season to finish 21 points clear of the Raiders and earn hosting rights for the decider at Kangaroo Bay.

Their only defeat was a tight three wicket loss when the Raiders overhauled a 194 run target courtesy of an unbeaten 53 from Tigers quick Belinda Vakarewa.

However Vakarewa will miss the final as she completes quarantine requirements before travelling to New Zealand with the Australian squad, while Corinne Hall (calf) will also be absent.

Emma Manix-Geeves from the Greater Northern Raiders and Hollie Armitage (Clarence) with the CTPL women’s Kookaburra Cup trophy. Picture: Alastair Bett.

Clarence is likely have state trio Emma Thompson, Heather Graham and Emily Smith available, bolstering an already formidable top order which consists of Hollie Armitage and an in-form Erin Fazackerley, who blasted an unbeaten 195 against New Town last weekend.

“No doubting that Clarence is a very, very good side and they’ve got some very good players,” said Manix-Geeves, who is the leading run scorer in the competition and has returned to the state set-up this year.

“We know we’re probably the underdogs, but that doesn’t faze us at all.

“I think we’re the only team to beat them this year in the 50 over comp so we’re just going to go out and give it a good crack and see what happens.”

Armitage (second most runs), Thompson (third) and Graham (seventh) form a three pronged headache for opposition bowling attacks.

However the late season form of Fazackerley adds some X-factor as the Roos look to back up last year’s COVID-19 impacted premiership.

“We’ve had some good team performances and some really good individual performances, so it should leave us in good stead for the final,” Armitage said.

“She [Fazackerley] is a fantastic cricketer, a really exciting player … you don’t find many people that can really clear the boundaries.

“For us, her leading up into the final in some form like that is really exciting.”

Hollie Armitage, pictured in action for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, is one of the key Clarence batters at the top of the order. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

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