Vics honoured at National Championships

Despite failing to overcome New South Wales in yesterday’s final, with the hosts claiming a 10-wicket win, Sophie Molineux, Makinley Blows, Annabel Martin, Georgia Wareham and Hayleigh Brennan were rewarded for their individual brilliance at the carnival with selection in the prestigious team.

Hoping to overturn the result of the preliminary rounds, Victoria won the toss and batted against NSW, but saw their chances evaporate when Hope Irvine (11) was the sole batter to reach double figures. 

Blows, who finished second on the tournament run-scorers’ list with 240 at 60, was the next best with nine as Victoria was shot out for just 53.

In reply, NSW cruised to the total without losing a wicket in less than 15 overs, capturing the national title in the process.

“NSW were terrific, they well and truly outplayed us,” Victorian coach Duncan Harrison said.

“It was an unbelievable tournament. The girls did everything we asked them; they played for the team and made sacrifices to their own games to help the team.

“It was a sensational tournament.”

For a successive season, Molineux, who is already being touted as a future Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit representative, was included in the team of the tournament, while Blows was a lock for one of the opening batting positions.

Martin secured the wicket-keeping role after setting a new carnival record with 11 dismissals, incorporating six catches and five stumpings, while leg-spinner Wareham and quick Brennan are expected to return next season as top-age players.

To see full results from the Under-15 National Championships, click here.

Image kindly provided by Nat Schilov.