Women’s Premier Firsts T20 final preview

Searching for their first title since amalgamating with Brunswick Park in 2014, the True Blues go into the final with confidence after a comprehensive victory over Coburg.

Last weekend they welcomed skipper Emma Inglis back from Melbourne Stars duties in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Returning in true captain style, Inglis scored an unbeaten 103 off just 59 deliveries against Coburg. As a result, she is now the leading run-scorer in the competition with 240 runs at an average of 120.00.

Inglis told Cricket Victoria immediately after the 107-run win over Coburg that her team was itching to get out on the big stage.

“It’s going to be a good contest. It’s going to be an exciting week, a lot of the girls haven’t played in a final before, so it’s an exciting week on the training track. We’ll be looking to just do the basics well and hopefully get another big score or be able to chase down the score,” Inglis said.

Fellow Prahran opener Naomi Dattani is also in good form, making 44 against Coburg. With Dattani, Kathleen Hempenstall (fifth leading run-scorer), who captained in Inglis’ absence, and Nicola Hancock (averaging 30 at strike rate of 160.7), the True Blues boast a dangerous top-order.

With the ball, pace-bowlers Tara Norris and Hempenstall have proved an economical opening duo who have the knack of building pressure and consequently minimising damage in the powerplay.

Prahran also look strong in the spin department with Melbourne Stars and VicSpirit leggie Alana King bowling four overs 0-9 against Coburg. She’ll be a factor as usual. While off-spinner Rosie Wynd, a member of the Cricket Australia XI at the recent U18 National Championships, bowled the only maiden of last week’s match.

Although Prahran will be without Jess Cameron, who is on Collingwood AFLW duty, and the injured Annabel Sutherland, they have the recently acquired Gemma Triscari. Recently moved from Perth, Triscari was the Melbourne Stars’ leading wicket-taker in WBBL|02 with 13 wickets.

On the other hand, Box Hill will be looking to Meg and Anna Lanning to lead from the front as they have done when not been on WBBL duty. Meg hit 51 in her only T20 for the Mustangs this season, while Anna has amassed 132 runs at 132.00. The Melbourne Stars and Box Hill captain comes into the final off the back of another strong WBBL campaign, amassing 502 runs at 45.63.

Facing an inform batting side, the Mustangs will look to the competition’s leading wicket-taker Cassie Brock to take charge. The former Renegades and VicSpirit player has claimed 13 wickets with her leg-spin at just 3.64 runs an over.

Melbourne Stars and VicSpirit fast bowler Hayleigh Brennan is likely to be another key player for the Mustangs. Taking the new ball with Bella Gietzmann, the pair have each claimed five wickets at 15.20 with economies of 4.90 and 4.22 respectively. Box Hill will also be hoping Kate Schie and Danielle Montague can add to their tally of six wickets apiece at 7.33 and 10.83 respectively.

Box Hill will miss their overseas player Georgia Hennessy who has returned to England after a successful stint with the Mustangs. Though absent for last weekend’s win over Plenty Valley, she was key to a number of wins, especially when the Lanning duo was absent. Hennessy finished as the competition’s second leading run-scorer with 206 at 51.50 and picked up six wickets at 12.17.

The final is set to be an exciting clash with a number of past and present WBBL stars on show.

The Premier Seconds Final between Carlton-Brunswick and Melbourne will start at 11am.