Tara Murray
Greenvale Kangaroos topped off a stunning season with a second premiership in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket North West A competition.
Having already claimed the T20 title, the Kangaroos backed it up with the one-day title on Sunday, beating Ballarat Women’s in the grand final.
Kangaroos captain Catherine Morrow said they could have never predicted the season that they would have.
“I said to everyone yesterday [Sunday] that we were a new team,” she said.
“Everyone had to adapt to it and did a fantastic job.”
Facing Ballarat Women’s, who they beat in the T20 grand final, the Kangaroos got off to a slow start.
At 3-29 the Kangaroos were in a bit of trouble.
Morrow and Rochelle Rodrigues came together and put a partnership on and get the innings back on track.
The Kangaroos finished 6-126.
“Ballarat got off to a good start and it could have swung either way,” Morrow said.
“We wanted to get to 130, but after the start we had we would take our score.
“It was pleasing to have the partnership with Rochelle and get some momentum going our way.
“We worked on each over as it came.”
Morrow finished with 42, while Rodrigues made 24.
Ballarat started well and looked in control at 2- 67 and then 4-106.
With Ballarat on top and looking like they would get the premiership, Morrow decided to take a big risk and turn to 16-year-old wicketkeeper Alesha Wilkinson the ball.
It was one that paid off.
Morrow said she had given Wilkinson the heads up at training during the week that it might happen.
“I decided to try something different,” she said.
“I bowled our wicketkeeper who hasn’t bowled all year. She just bowls in the nets at training and she can spin the ball.
“We had nothing to lose and if it works, it works. Ballarat was on top as far as the game was concerned.
While Wilkinson didn’t get a wicket, her and fellow spinner Rodrigues were able to slow things down.
Rodrigues took three wickets as they bowled Ballarat out for 112.
Taylah Logie also took three wickets.
The stunning season will help the Kangaroos in their push to field premier crickets sides.
Morrow said they would look to go up a grade next season and help develop the young players to step into premier cricket.
