That's all Hemant, Venkat and I have for you from this first game of the women's double-header. Hoping to have your company for the next game! Don't forget to follow the first of the two games in the men's competition as well. Ciao!
Elyse Villani, Rockets captain: "Great way to start the campaign. I thought Freeborn's innings and Kingy's runs at the end was key. The plan was to attack the stumps and the fielders backed it up. It is literally wildcard. Things happened pretty quickly but I love captaining. It was a few days' notice but when you have people helping, it makes it early. We had the momentum on and it made sense to have Glenn bowl the second straight set. [About King] She's lovely and she's a character. She knows she has a job to do for the team and makes batters play shots that build pressure. She was outstanding and she loved it. [On their chat after the hat-trick] I actually told her that although you didn't get a hat-trick for Australia in the Commonwealth Games, you got one now and all's good in the world. The bowling innings pretty much went to plan."
Alana King, Match Hero: "We have got our first win on the board and that's what I am pumped about. I am here to do a job for the team and I am glad to do it. It was a fresh wicket and I could manage to contribute. [Doing well at Old Trafford, where the late Shane Warne bowled the 'ball of the century' to Mike Gatting] I hope he's looking down and feeling proud. I am so excited [to play in the Hundred] and it is an exciting bunch."
1:33pm A 43-run win for Rockets to kickstart their campaign this year! And it was all thanks, in a large share, to King. She first walked out with the bat to play a nine-ball cameo of 19 before turning up with the ball to pick up four wickets, including the first-ever hat-trick in the women's competition. Lee began the chase in right earnest but there was no plugging the wickets from the other end, before she also fell inside the powerplay. A complete bowling performance from Rockets, after seemingly lacking with the bat till about the final assault from King and Freeborn.
HE Jones run out 2 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
Bryce, who started Originals' fall.
END OF OVER:17 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | MO-W: 76/9 (44 runs required from 15 balls, RR: 4.47, RRR: 14.66)
- Grace Potts4 (4b)
- Hannah Jones2 (2b)
- Bryony Smith3.5-0-16-1
- Katherine Sciver-Brunt2.5-0-23-0
Hannah Jones
E Threlkeld c Brunt b Smith 7 (12b 0x4 0x6) SR: 58.33
Smith for her final set.
END OF OVER:16 | 5 Runs | MO-W: 72/8 (48 runs required from 20 balls, RR: 4.50, RRR: 12.00)
- Eleanor Threlkeld7 (11b)
- Grace Potts2 (2b)
- Katherine Sciver-Brunt2.5-0-23-0
- Sarah Glenn3.5-0-14-2
Brunt is back for her third set.
END OF OVER:15 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | MO-W: 67/8 (53 runs required from 25 balls, RR: 4.46, RRR: 10.60)
- Eleanor Threlkeld6 (8b)
- Sarah Glenn3.5-0-14-2
- Bryony Smith2.5-0-12-0
The two leggies in the Rockets side have managed to pick up six wickets between them today...
A Campbell c King b Glenn 13 (18b 1x4 0x6) SR: 72.22
Umanga: "King could have had 2 hattrick in a space of a month..Alas ! Not to be. :p" That is why she didn't take a chance this time.
