Sarah Taylor made history on Saturday when she became the first woman in Australia to play in West End Premier Cricket 1st Grade competition, lining up as wicket-keeper in the Northern Jets’ season-opener against Port Adelaide at Salisbury Oval.
The Jets struggled for wickets early before striking late on day one as Port Adelaide finished the day 3/227. Day two will be played this Saturday, with Taylor expected to bat at number eight.
Spinner Hannah Perry was in good touch in the Jets’ Women’s 1st Grade low-scoring clash with West Torrens, claiming figures of 3/10 in her sides’ 18-run loss at Sailsbury Oval.
At Port Adelaide Reserve it was another spinner who stole the limelight, with Amanda Wellington putting on a show with both bat and ball for Port Adelaide.
Having lost the toss and being sent in to bowl by Sturt, Port Adelaide had the visitors all out for just 71, thanks largely to Wellington’s impressive figures of 5/22 from seven overs.
Sturt’s Megan Schutt was at her economical best, claiming 2/6 from her eight overs including five maidens; it wasn’t enough however as Wellington produced 54 from 80 balls to steer her side to victory.
Youngster Bridget Patterson was also amongst the runs, compiling an impressive 51 from 44 balls as Kensington chased down Southern District’s 75 in just over ten overs.