WNCL 2022-23
Australian T20 World Cup squad member Grace Harris hit a quick-fire half-century in Queesnland's comfortable win over Victoria as she prepares for a crucial campaign with the national side next month
Riley Alexander
17 January 2023, 05:30 PM AEST
@Ralexander2002
Grace Harris has tuned up for a big month of cricket with the Australian side in style, smashing Victoria for 71 off 56 balls in Queensland's comfortable four-wicket victory over Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League.
The right-hander was playing her first game for the Fire since September but picked up right from where she left off in that game when she struck an unbeaten 77, hitting three sixes to go with four boundaries as the Victorian attack had no answer for her onslaught.
She will take on the Vics on Thursday when the two sides meet again, before switching her attention to T20 cricket when she joins the Australian squad for their three-game CommBank series against Pakistan.
The 29-year-old will then play a major role in Australia's bid to defend their T20 World Cup title in South Africa next month.
Her innings in Brisbane today came to an end in the 36th over when she was bowled by Georgia Wareham, however the damage had already been done to a depleted Victorian side who were without many of their regular stars.
With four Australian players unavailable, as well as U19 World Cup representatives Ella Hayward and Rhys McKenna, the Vics fielded four debutants for the clash at Ian Healy Oval.
Unfortunately for one of those, Olivia Henry, who came out at number three after Sophie Reid (3) became Nicola Hancock's first victim, was gone for just five early in her side's innings after they opted to bat first.
Henry's mistimed pull shot was caught by Ellie Johnston to hand Hancock a second, bringing leg-spinner Wareham to the crease at number four who was promoted to the top-order such was her side's absence of batting riches.
She and Victoria skipper Nicole Faltum built a nice platform together and rotated the strike among some miserly bowling from the Fire attack, however the latter fell to the matchwinner Harris for 31 who held onto a simple return catch.
Wareham could only manage one more run than her captain before being stumped off the bowling of Grace Parsons, as the Fire regained control of the contest.
Rhiann O'Donnell (27) and Tiana Atkinson (38) put together a 50-run partnership to keep the scoreboard ticking for Victoria, while Sophie Day's cameo (16 off 15) helped them reach 9-188.
Hancock finished with figures of 3-42 as the best of the Queenslanders, while Courtney Sippel and Ruth Johnston each picked up two wickets.
Victorian debutant Madison Albers got the visitors off to a promising start as she lured Johnston into a false stroke to be well caught at cover for just 10.
Wareham then broke a building partnership between Georgia Voll (24) and Charli Knott (35) when she bowled the former to continue her strong influence on the contest.
But that only brought Harris to the crease, who was circumspect to begin with, but soon brought out her destructive side.
She and Mikayla Hinkley (28) got the Fire within 17 runs of victory before both fell in quick succession, however victory was secured in the 40th over.
Wareham completed an impressive all-round day to finish with 4-38 as she continues to improve with each game she plays ahead of a return to the Australian squad for the World Cup.
The Fire will again host Victoria at the same venue in two days' time as they look to embed themselves in the top two of the WNCL table.
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