Bolton shines as WA claim first points of WNCL season

Western Australia has claimed the first points of the Women’s National Cricket League season, securing a five-wicket win against the Queensland Fire on the opening day of round one.

Captain Chloe Piparo and Nicole Bolton combined brilliantly for Western Australia, putting on a 156-run stand to power the visitors toward victory after a strong performance with the ball saw Queensland bowled out for 189.

Opener Piparo scored steadily to anchor the West Australian innings, her 118-ball knock of 76 featuring eight boundaries.

Bolton seemed happy to play the support role alongside Piparo, however the experienced batter upped the ante at the back end of the innings, top-scoring on 77 from 106 balls.

Things looked promising for WA from the outset, Sophie Devine capturing the wicket of the dangerous Grace Harris for 1 in the first over after Piparo won the toss and elected to bowl.

From that point on, wickets fell regularly for Queensland. Opener Kirby Short and first drop Laura Harris were both dismissed without scoring in the second over to Taneale Peschel.

A 70-run fifth-wicket partnership between Georgia Redmayne and Mikayla Hinkley steadied the ship somewhat for the hosts.

Hinkley’s departure at the hands of Kath Hempenstall for 34 in the 29th over appeared to spark something of a collapse for Queensland, with Josie Dooley and Sammy-Jo Johnson departing for single figures in quick succession.

It wasn’t until Jemma Barsby came to the crease that the Queenslanders were able to make a significant impact on the score. Coming in to bat at number nine, Barsby produced a gutsy knock of 63 off 70 to set Western Australia a respectable total of 189 from 47 overs.

Devine and Peschel claimed three wickets each, while Emma King bowled economically to finish her 10 overs with 2-27.

Devine couldn’t contribute as effectively with the bat, departing for a duck in the first over to Johnson, before opener Amy Edgar followed suit in the third over, also departing for zero.

It took until the 37th over for Queensland to find the next breakthrough, as Johnson claimed Piparo’s wicket for 76.

By that stage however, the exploits of Piparo and Bolton had taken the visitors to 3-168, within 30 runs of the required total.

Bolton put on a further eight runs before Barsby dismissed her for 77 from 106 balls.

Ashley Day and Megan Banting then finished the job for WA, reaching the target with more than six overs remaining.

The WNCL action continues on Sunday, with three matches being played across Adelaide and Brisbane. Fans are welcome to head along to all WNCL matches throughout the summer for free!