Today,
02 February 2023
Today,
02 February 2023
SACA Media
The SA Scorpions season began in September 2022 with the most clutch of victories – Tahlia McGrath hitting three consecutive sixes to not only seal the win for the Scorpions against Victoria, but also bring up an unbeaten century.
That finish set the tone for how the rest of the competition would seemingly continue for the Scorpions, with a number of thrilling last over victories following their opening win.
Somehow, stand-in skipper Jemma Barsby is always involved in those final moments, whether it be at non-strikers end of McGrath’s heroics, or hitting the winning runs herself with just three balls remaining in a recent match against New South Wales at Karen Rolton Oval.
The nail-biting finishes are starting to have an impact.
“I think I’ve aged about 10 years after this season with all the tight games we’ve had,” Barsby said with a laugh.
“It’s exciting that we’ve been in I think five or six games that have come to the last over but won them.
“I think once you get the first couple, it gives you that belief and confidence that you can do it and it’s just being brave in those types of situations and having that belief that when we have our backs up against the wall, that we can still fight and win.”
One of those close finishes was the first WNCL super over in the competition’s history, against Western Australia in Perth.
Tight bowling and fielding at the death from the Scorpions caused WA to draw level at the end of the 50 overs, with WA thinking that ended the match in a tie.
However, a strange experience earlier in the season meant the Scorpions knew it would go to a super over.
Much like their first match against Victoria, their second game of the round also came down to the final over and a super over was meant to be played, but heavy rain caused the game to be called off before it commenced, ending the contest in a tie.
“That game against Victoria was a very odd game – we thought we were going off and then we were staying on and then thought we were playing a super over and then the two captains came together and decided it was too wet,” Barsby said.
“So, when it came to WA it was a bit up in the air – they thought it was just a draw and they we’re happy with that and we knew obviously from the Vic game that we went to a super over.
“I sprinted out there to be like ‘we’re playing the super over!’ – obviously I was very confident in our side that we were able to get over the line.
“It was one of those moments that you reflect on where they needed one run to win that game and for Kate Peterson to go and throw down the stumps and Ellie Falconer to bowl that last ball and execute where we asked her to and to take it to the super over and win that quite comfortably is something pretty special.”
— SA Scorpions (@ScorpionsSA) January 4, 2023
All of these tight finishes gave Barsby the faith during their most recent round against New South Wales, when it came down to her to win the match.
Chasing 279 runs, Maddie Penna hit an unbeaten century and Barsby finished 73* and brought up the winning runs with a sneaky ramp shot with only three balls spare.
“That was pretty nice, especially after scoring more runs than I have the whole time at the Scorps,” Barsby said.
“So I let out some emotion and copped a bit of stick for it, but it was just nice to be out there to hit the winning runs and it was something special to get the side over the line.”
Penna and McGrath aren’t the only Scorpions to hit centuries this season, with Courtney Webb and Emma de Broughe making their maiden WNCL centuries and Bridget Patterson hitting her sixth.
“Those results show the hard work is paying off,” Barsby said.
“It’s definitely pleasing that when our backs are against the wall, different people have stepped up at different times.”
Now the Scorpions are looking forward to their final two rounds, first against the reigning champions Tasmania in Hobart and then against Queensland at home at Karen Rolton Oval.
Tasmania and Queensland are in the top three on the ladder alongside the Scorpions and these rounds will determine who plays in the final on Saturday, February 25.
“Those rounds will show where we’re at,” Barsby said.
“It’ll be a challenge, if we win those games against Tassie then we play Queensland and go alright against them, then we deserve to be in the final.
“Our next four matches will be very tough, but it’ll be very good challenge.”
The Scorpions will play Tasmania on Monday, February 6 (10am ACDT start) and on Wednesday, February 8 (1:30pm ACDT start).
Both matches will be streamed live and free on cricket.com.au.
SACA Media
SACA Media
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© 2023 South Australian Cricket Association.All rights reserved
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