The premier women’s 50-over competition in Australia saw a fitting end as former Australian international Sarah Coyte defended four runs to seal victory in sensational style. Coyte, who had not played an international match since March 2016, rattled South Australia’s nerves by dismissing Annie O’Neill for 28. The next ball saw Amanda-Jade Wellington take a single, but captain Jenna Barsby was sent back after Barsby ricocheted straight off the stump, hoping to finish the chase herself. However, Barsby was stumped by Emma Mannix-Geeves, leaving the tailenders to complete the run chase.
The next wicket is considered more of luck. Ella Wilson probably believed she had sealed the game when she hit a straight drive, but Coyte deflected the ball onto the stumps and caught Amanda-Jade Wellington out of the crease. Wilson was then dismissed LBW, and suddenly South Australia needed three runs from one ball. However, they were only able to score one run as Anesu Mushangwe edged one to Elise Vilani, who collected the ball and ran onto the stumps himself to prevent further twists in the game. As a result, Mushangwe was run out, resulting in a one-run victory for Tasmania.
It was fitting that Elyse Villani struck the final blow, as she played a crucial role in helping Tasmania post a mammoth total of 264 with a brilliant 110 off 126 balls. Nevertheless, it was Sarah Coyte who was awarded Player of the Match for her incredible final over heroics. It was a massive batting collapse and certainly unbelievable stuff.
Cricket fans and commentators have been left fuming after South Australia produced an all-time choke after South Australia lost the Women’s National Cricket League final against Tasmania on Saturday night. South Australia needed just four runs for five wickets in the final over, but lost all five wickets in startling scenes. Sarah Coyte produced an over for the ages, taking three wickets and one runout to seal back-to-back WNCL titles for Tasmania. Coyte bowled Annie O’Neill on the first ball of the over and stumped South Australia captain Gemma Barsby two balls later.
South Australia were still in the box-seat, needing three from three deliveries, but Coyte ran out Amanda-Jade Wellington for one, throwing the ball back to the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Coyte trapped Ella Wilson lbw off the second last ball, before Anesu Mushangwe was run out by Elyse Vilani off the last ball after scoring only one run. Coyte finished with 4-30 and was named player of the match for his incredible final over. Dramatic scenes capped a thrilling final in which both sides had to navigate rain delays and their noses in front at various stages under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern system.
“It was really bizarre. I don’t think I’ve ever done that well in a game before,” Coyte said. “Easily the best game I have been a part of. ebb and flow. You can’t even replicate that kind of game. Coyte said she was calm at the start of the final over and admitted that her reflex run-out was indeed an accident. “I didn’t really want to hit it on the stumps. I just wanted to stop it,” she said.
Tasmania became only the second team to clinch back-to-back WNCL titles, leaving South Australia as runners-up for the second year in a row. Captain Elyse Villani had earlier bundled out Tasmania for 264 after scoring 110 off 126 balls in 50 overs, her third century in the last four innings. Covers came and went during South Australia’s chase, which was headlined by youngster Courtney Webb’s impressive 83.
One of the wildest finishes to a cricket match condensed down to a minute.
you’re welcome #WNCLFinal pic.twitter.com/97hUMPcuxE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 25, 2023
South Australia had scored 220 runs for five wickets but due to rain six overs of play were left. They were then five runs ahead of the DLS target. On resumption, South Australia’s target was revised to 243 in 47 overs as the game was lost with three overs to spare. Before the last over, they had scored 239 runs for five wickets.
