Captain, Grace Darnbrough, lost the toss and the Flames were sent in to bat by the Selwyn Wahine on a morning that was already hitting the high 20s at 9am! Grace and Jesse D’arcy-Slade opened and the team made a solid if slow start, making it to 32/2 in the ninth over. Lily McGonigal played some lovely shots for her 12 runs, India Buchanan top scored with 19, and Summer Karras ended up with a well-crafted 12 Not Out. The Flames ended up all out for 101 in the by now stifling 30˚+ heat.
The Selwyn girls were slow & steady in their reply before Mookee Lee got the first of her two wickets, with the score on 40. By this stage, the incredibly hot weather was starting to take its toll, and two of Selwyn’s batters ended up retiring in the next few overs. Drinks breaks were being had every five overs now, but that didn’t stop Grace from having to leave the field after keeping for 15 overs. Basically, if you were wearing a helmet, you were being roasted alive! Makayla picked up a wicket at 76 and Mookee got another at 93, but it wasn’t enough and the Selwyn Wahine picked up their first win of the season.
The highlight of the day for the Flames was undoubtedly India’s three catches – i.e. all the wickets that fell – which complemented her top score of 19 and garnered her another well-deserved Player of the Day award. At the end of the match, the Selwyn Wahine appeared with ice blocks, which were very much appreciated by everyone in attendance.
North-West Women's Cricket 