Tara Murray
While falling just short of a grand final spot, it was still a successful season for Melton Centrals in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket shield (3) T20 competition.
Centrals, who have made several grand finals in their short history, finished percentage outside a top-two spot and a place in the final game of the season.
Centrals’ captain-coach Candace Hulett said they were happy with how they went this season. The Centrals finished the season on a high with a win against Werribee.
“We had a couple of washouts which cost us,” she said.
“The season was pretty good and we had a lot of new players this season, so to get where we did was a bit unexpected.”
Hulett said they had six new players join the side this season, with a number of players looking to test themselves at a higher level.
She said it was bittersweet, as they didn’t want to see them leave, bu it was good to see them thrive at a higher level.
This year the squad had an age range from 10 through to 48.
Hulett said the majority of the playing group were still young which was good signs for the future.
“They had the ability to bowl against some experienced cricketers and they were able to hold their own. They fielded well too.”
The side doesn’t get much rest, with the one-day competition starting next Sunday. Teams play 35 overs a side.
Hulett said some of the younger players would get a bit more of an opportunity in the longer format.
“We’re looking forward to the one-dayers,” she said. “Hopefully we can continue the form from the T20S.
“These young players have learned a lot and hopefully that experience can be transferred into the one-dayers and we can get a few more wins.
“If the weather can be a bit nicer it would be good too.”
Centrals face Ballarat Women’s (2) next Sunday at White Flat Oval.
