Dooley's maiden ton keeps Scorpions in the hunt

A stunning maiden century from Josie Dooley has helped South Australia to a 61-run victory over Tasmania in Adelaide, keeping their hopes of making the Women’s National Cricket League final alive.

Dooley’s rapid 116 from 112 deliveries, combined with another half-century from in-form opener Bridget Patterson, helped the Scorpions to 9-266 despite a five-wicket haul – including a hat-trick – at the death from Heather Graham.

In reply, South Australia’s new-look pace attack, missing international trio Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown and Tahlia McGrath, bowled Tasmania out for 205 despite a fighting 41 from Emily Smith, sealing a bonus-point win.

The emphatic win saw South Australia climb to fourth on the table on 18 points with one game remaining against the ACT Meteors on Sunday, behind Victoria (26.5 points), Queensland (20), and Tasmania (19).

However, the defeat has dashed Tasmania’s hopes of qualifying inside the top two, with their eight-game season now complete.

The Scorpions now need to beat the ACT and rely on NSW defeating Queensland on Sunday (but without gaining a bonus point) to qualify second and face Victoria in the final on March 27.

Electing to bowl, the Tigers tied down Emma de Broughe early, with left-arm spinner Sam Bates forcing the error when the opener miscued an attempted sweep down the throat of Sasha Moloney at square leg, out for five from 23 deliveries.

It brought Dooley to the crease to join Patterson, with Tasmania unable to find an answer throughout their 135-run second-wicket stand.

Patterson’s hopes of a third century for the season were dashed on 81 when she was well caught by a running Meg Phillips at long off, ending her 115-ball innings, but Dooley pressed on.

If the 21-year-old was daunted by the nineties it did not show, as she struck a towering six over the deep mid-wicket boundary to reach triple figures in the domestic 50-over competition for the first time.

She followed up with a second maximum, her onslaught finally ending in the 46th over when she mishit a full toss from Graham to Naomi Stalenberg in the deep.

Graham followed up with the wicket of Tegan McPharlin (13), also caught by Stalenberg off a full toss, with her next delivery, before trapping Anna O’Neil (0) on the pads to complete a hat-trick and wrest back the momentum from the Scorpions.

She then removed Sam Betts (5) and Alex Price (1) with her next over, and in the space of nine deliveries went from 0-33 to 5-34, as South Australia lost 5-12 late in their innings, before a handy 17no from Amanda-Jade Wellington gave the hosts a late boost.

Facing a big chase in a must-win match, Tasmania’s innings got off to a disastrous start when captain Moloney (0) was caught behind from Sam Betts’ first delivery.

Betts’ second scalp removed dangerous former New Zealand batter Rachel Priest lbw for 10, before Meg Phillips (10), Naomi Stalenberg (11) and Corinne Hall (1) fell in quick succession to leave Tasmania reeling at 5-56.

South Australia needed to keep the Tigers to a total of 212 or under to snare a crucial bonus point, but with stubborn resistance from Smith, Sarah Coyte (32) and Amy Smith (23), it appeared the Scorpions would be denied.

Captain McPharlin then threw the ball to strike weapons Betts and Wellington, and produced the desired result, with Wellington taking the final wicket in the 45th over with the score on 205.

Betts finished with 3-37 from nine overs, with Wellington (3-42) and Courtney Webb (2-18) the other multiple wicket takers.

Pic credit: Peter Argent