Half-centuries from Meg Lanning and Elyse Villani have helped the VicSpirit cruise to an eight-wicket victory over the Tasmanian Roar at Blundstone Arena on Friday.
Set just 165 to win from 50 overs after the Victorian bowlers restricted the Tassie middle order, the VicSpirit eased to 2-167 from just 18.4 overs in another classy performance in the Women's National Cricket League.
While Lanning and Villani delivered the fireworks, it was the VicSpirit bowlers who laid the foundation for the win as Briana Binch, Molly Strano and Kristen Beams all captured two wickets, while the latter pair also kept things tight as they finished with five maidens apiece.
Sarah Elliott also claimed a wicket in her first match back for the VicSpirit since giving birth as she posted figures of 1-41 from eight overs.
Their efforts ensured that Tasmania's batters struggled to develop dangerous partnerships, although Emily Divin (30), Veronica Pyke (31), Belinda Page (23) and Linsey Da Costa (23) all tried hard to post a defendable total as they finished their 50 overs on 9-164.
That target hardly looked good enough from the outset, though, especially with VicSpirit opener Lanning in her current form after some explosive innings for Australia helped the Southern Stars to a 3-1 win over New Zealand in the recent Rose Bowl Series.
And it proved to be the case as Lannning battered eight fours and two sixes as she made 58 off 37 deliveries.
Lanning was ably assisted by fellow opener Villani, who struck an unbeaten 58 off 50 deliveries to help see her side home.
And while the VicSpirit suffered a slight wobble as Lanning and Jess Cameron (two) fell in the space of two overs, Villani and Emma Inglis (32) safely saw the side home.
First Posted 21 December, 2012 5:41PM AEST
