The New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Blues will chase its sixth consecutive Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) title this weekend (2 - 4 February) when it takes on the Victoria Spirit in a best-of-three finals series at Memorial Oval, Bankstown.

The Blues enter the WNCL final as the firm favourite after an all-conquering season that saw it finish on top of the competition points table.

Buoyed by the inclusion of seven Australian representatives, the Blues were undefeated from eight rounds, including two convincing wins over the Victoria Spirit in Melbourne during January.

Julie Hayes, in her first year as captain of the NSWIS Blues said that despite her side's impressive season record, it could not afford to relent in the lead-up to the weekend's matches.

"We have gone through the competition undefeated this season but that doesn't count for much when you reach the final," Hayes said.

"We need solid performances all round if we are to claim our sixth consecutive title," she said.

Former Blues captain and current Australian batting hero, Belinda Clark, who moved south to lead the Victoria Spirit this season, has played a major role in reversing the side's fortunes.

The Spirit, which last year finished on the bottom of the table, is the competition's big improver. Under Clark's captaincy the side has won five matches and earned the right to challenge the Blues for the outright title. Should Victoria win, it will add to its tally of 37 national titles, a record it holds in the 72-year history of the competition.

Clark, who also captains the women's national team, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, said the Spirit's rapid improvement meant that it had little to lose going into the WNCL final.

"It is always preferable to be the underdog going into any major contest," Clark said.

"We are proud to have reached the position we are in, however we know that there is much work to be done if we are going to win this title," she added.

The Spirit's hopes will rest heavily with Clark who has scored 381 runs this season, second only to Southern Scorpions captain Karen Rolton (509). She will look to Melanie Jones, Sarah Edwards, Louise Broadfoot and Kelly Applebee for batting support.

Victoria's bowling stakes will benefit from the experience of national veteran Cathryn Fitzpatrick while youngsters Clea Smith, Shannon Young and Karyn Winterton will provide handy back-up.

Young is Victoria's leading wicket-taker this season with 12 wickets at an average of 17.00.

The Blues' campaign will rely on its impressive top-order of Lisa Keightley, Lisa Sthalekar, Michelle Gosko, Martha Winch and Shannon Cunneen. Keightley has led the way with 284 runs this season and combined with Sthalekar holds the record for the season's highest partnership, scoring 147 against the Western Fury in December 2001.

Therese McGregor, Bronwyn Calver and Emma Twining hold the key to the Blues' bowling attack. Calver, a former Australian representative is the season's highest wicket-taker netting 15 scalps at an average of 15.00.

Since the January encounter, both sides have added an extra player to its squads.

Blues wicket-keeper and Australian youth representative, Leonie Coleman returns after injury, while Ingrid Noack could make her WNCL debut for the Spirit, being called into the Victorian squad for the first time.

The squads are:

NSWIS Blues: Julie Hayes (c), Therese McGregor (vc), Sarah Andrews, Alex Blackwell, Bronwyn Calver, Leonie Coleman (wk), Shannon Cunneen, Michelle Goszko, Lisa Keightley, Debbie Nelson, Lisa Sthalekar, Emma Twining and Martha Winch.

Victoria Spirit: Belinda Clark (c), Clea Smith (vc), Ando Aparo (wk), Kelly Applebee, Louise Broadfoot, Jodie Dean, Sarah Edwards, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Melanie Jones, Ingrid Noack, Stephanie Theodore, Karyn Winterton and Shannon Young.

All matches in the WNCL finals series will take place at Memorial Oval, Bankstown, New South Wales, beginning at 10.00am.

Live scores of the WNCL finals series will be available on the ACB's official website, www.baggygreen.com.au. The website provides a link to WNCL player statistics, results and records as well as the player profiles for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars.

© 2002 Australian Cricket Board

		Results - Forthcoming Desktop Scoreboard

Site Map | RSS feeds | Link to us | Help & feedback | Contact us | About us | Advertise | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© Cricinfo 2009 Cricinfo is part of ESPN ESPN - Soccernet - Scrum - F1-live - Scorecenter