Southern Smash 2024: Southern Scorpions win historic inaugural women’s T20 final against Bunbury and Districts

Southern Scorpions flexed their muscles on their home turf to claim the inaugural Southern Smash women’s title with a historic 2-1 win over Bunbury and Districts in Albany, on December 30. In front of an enthusiastic crowd at Turf East, the Scorpions recovered from a horror start in the decider to chase a tricky score of 99 with two wickets in hand. The Scorpions overcame a shocking 3-3 start in the opening powerplay to successfully chase down the Bunbury and Districts score with three overs remaining. They lost gun opener Lahni Davis for a duck to Maddie Oakey in the first over before the pacer then snared Scorpions No.3 Jorja Squiers (1) and Jessica Cramer for a duck within three balls. But Scorpions opener Jules Langley remained at the crease to provide a resilient 25 from 30 balls. Langley and Emma Dolan rebuilt the Scorpions’ run-chase, Dolan scoring 34 from 37 as the pair added a match-defining 62 runs for the fourth wicket. Courtney Marshall broke the impressive partnership by claiming Langley’s scalp before Emmeline Cunningham’s run-a-ball 12 and Renae Parsons’ unbeaten nine guided the hosts to a historic victory. Maddie Oakey led her side’s attack with the ball taking 3-3 from two overs for Bunbury and Districts. Earlier, the Scorpions won the toss and sent the visitors into bat. Bunbury and Districts’ Matilda Richings scored an unbeaten 54 from 61 deliveries and was named player of the tournament. However despite the superb knock, Richings did not receive much support from her teammates with fellow opener Jenna Harrington chewing up 37 balls for her 17 while Harper Hamilton and Madison King both failed to trouble the scorers. The Scorpions’ tight bowling dried up their rivals scoring options and created run out chances which captain Holly Pearce grabbed with both hands to effect two herself. Dolan finished with 2-12 from four overs while Katanning Emily Pinney and Pearce were economical with 0-14 from four overs each. Bunbury and Districts forced a decider after completing a nervy run chase earlier in the day. They mowed down Scorpions’ 9-85 with just five balls to spare to win by two wickets. Ritchings scored 27 not out to help guide her side to victory. Scorpions were best served by captain Holly Pearce who took 3-17 from four overs. In game one on Decemeber 29 the Scorpions finished two wicket winners, chasing downing 95 to win with two balls to spare.