South Australia Scorpions held their nerve in a tense finish at Adelaide to edge past Victoria Women in a gripping Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 encounter, chasing down the target with just seven balls to spare in a match that ebbed and flowed through crucial partnerships, disciplined bowling spells, and moments of composure under pressure.
Victoria Women’s innings never truly settled into a smooth rhythm after an early setback when Nicole Faltum fell for 0, bowled by Megan Schutt at 1-0 in just 0.3 overs. From there, Ella Hayward and Sophie Molineux attempted to stabilise proceedings, stitching together a steady rebuilding phase. Hayward’s 31 off 42 balls and Molineux’s patient 38 from 53 deliveries helped Victoria recover to 68/2 by the 14.1-over mark before Hayward departed, caught by Barsby. Molineux continued alongside Annabel Sutherland, and the pair pushed the innings forward with calculated aggression, rotating strike while punishing loose deliveries.
Sutherland emerged as the backbone of the innings, crafting a composed 75 from 76 balls, including six boundaries and a six, as Victoria crossed the 150-run mark. The middle overs saw South Australia’s bowlers maintain tight lines. Tahlia McGrath’s influence with the ball was evident as she broke key stands, finishing with 3/48 from 9.2 overs. Jemma Barsby complemented her brilliantly with figures of 3/27 in 7 overs, striking at pivotal moments to halt Victoria’s momentum.
After Tess Flintoff added a useful 34 off 52 balls, Victoria stumbled through the lower middle order, Rhys McKenna was run out for 2, Sasha Moloney managed 10, while Zoe Samuel and Hasrat Gill fell cheaply. Sophie Day remained unbeaten on 3, but regular wickets ensured Victoria Women were bowled out for 226 in 49.2 overs. Megan Schutt (2/39) and Amanda-Jade Wellington (1/47) added control, while Darcie Brown and Madeline Penna chipped in with economical spells that prevented a late surge.
Chasing, South Australia Scorpions began cautiously but lost Bridget Patterson early for 3, trapped by Hayward at 1-6 in 3.5 overs. Emma de Broughe and Courtney Webb steadied the innings, absorbing pressure and building a patient platform. Webb’s fluent 41 off 52 balls, decorated with five boundaries, injected momentum before Madeline Penna fell for a duck, leaving the chase delicately poised at 3-44. Tahlia McGrath then anchored the innings with remarkable composure, crafting a match-defining 58 from 79 deliveries.
Alongside Hollie Armitage, who struck 36 off 46 balls, McGrath rebuilt the chase through a vital middle-overs partnership that kept the required rate manageable. Victoria Women fought back through Annabel Sutherland (3/41) and Sophie Molineux (2/26), whose economical spells tightened the screws and triggered a brief wobble. Jemima Barsby added a brisk 33 from 29 balls, lifting the tempo and shifting momentum back towards South Australia, while Eleanor Larosa’s unbeaten 11 provided late assurance. Even as wickets fell, Armitage at 5-167 and McGrath at 6-170, the lower order held firm.
Amanda-Jade Wellington’s 13 and Schutt’s calm presence ensured the chase stayed on track despite disciplined bowling from Flintoff (1/47), Hayward (1/21), and Sophie Day (1/50). Ultimately, South Australia Women reached 230/8 in 48.5 overs, sealing a dramatic two-wicket victory that showcased resilience and tactical awareness. McGrath’s all-round brilliance, contributing both 58 runs and three wickets, earned her the Player of the Match honours, capping off a thrilling encounter that underlined the growing competitiveness of women’s domestic cricket in Australia.
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