Carey's stunning century leads Tigers to memorable win

A stunning century from Nicola Carey has taken Tasmania to a nail-biting victory over Queensland to record their first win in the Women’s National Cricket League season.

Carey, in a superb innings that featured both deft laps and reverse sweeps as well as cleanly-struck drives down the ground, remained resolute as wickets fell around her to finished unbeaten on 100, guiding her side to a five-wicket win in Hobart.

 

 

In pursuit of the revised target of 232 from 46 overs, Tasmania’s No.3 batter Carey came to the crease in the seventh over and, alongside vital contributions from Heather Graham (55), Rachel Priest (25) and Emma Manix-Geeves (12 not out), managed to reap revenge against Queensland who won their season-opening encounter on Friday.

 

The match-winning knock from Carey is her second WNCL century, and her second fifty-plus score in as many matches, which will bolster the allrounder’s confidence heading into a big international summer.

 

It wasn’t until the final over of the match that Tasmania looked set to seal victory, as Queensland’s spin attack led by captain Jess Jonassen (1-38) threatened to take hold.

 

 

Just as Graham appeared to be settling in to the crease, celebrating a 60-ball half-century in the 33rd over and taking the equation to 78 runs from 78 balls, Grace Harris (1-44) struck Graham on the pads to halt the partnership at 111 runs.

 

Naomi Stalenberg (12) and Molly Strano (11) came to the crease with intent and looked poised to get the job done, but both departed in quick succession leaving the task to the inexperienced, but innovative Manix-Geeves.

 

 

 

Manix-Geeves, taking a leaf out of Carey’s book, got inventive with the reverse sweep and struck a boundary off Georgia Voll to seal a memorable win for Tasmania.

 

Earlier in the day, after being sent in to bat, Queensland’s opening pair Georgia Redmayne and Voll made a promising start with an 83-run parternship.

 

Commentators and viewers were left baffled after Tigers spearhead Belinda Vakarewa appeared to bowl Voll for 26 in the 14th over, but even as the bails dislodged, the lack of appeal from the Tigers meant that Voll survived.

 

 

 

It then took until the 21st over for Tasmania to finally get the first breakthrough as Sarah Coyte had Voll caught by Amy Smith on 31.

 

Coyte continued to trouble the Queensland middle order, removing  No. 3 Charli Knott (34) and captain Jonassen (15) to finish with 3-40 from her nine overs.

 

Redmayne’s excellent form in maroon continued as she struck a free-flowing 63, her fifth half-century from her last seven WNCL innings.

 

Alongside Coyte, economic bowling performances from Graham (2-46 off 10) and Vakarewa (0-29 off 10) meant that Redmayne was the shining light for Queensland.

 

They posted 6-223 from 48 overs before rain descended on Hobart to end the innings early.

 

Queensland are back in action in early January with a fixture against South Australia in Brisbane, while movements for Tasmania remain unclear with a scheduled clash with Western Australia in doubt due to current border restrictions.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval

Feb 4: First T20, North Sydney Oval

Feb 6: Second T20, North Sydney Oval

Feb 10: Third T20, Adelaide Oval

Feb 13: First ODI, Adelaide Oval

Feb 16: Second ODI, Junction Oval

Feb 19: Third ODI, Junction Oval