Ladies show stellar skills

The Broome Ladies Cricket Club hosted a mixed scratch match earlier this month, with the town’s female players showing their stellar ability with both the bat and the ball.

A dedicated team of players of various levels of experience have been training religiously over the course of the year but have struggled for fixtures due to opposition from other towns failing to field teams.

The contingent played an inter-club match to raise funds and awareness of cancer research for Pink Stumps Day earlier in the year, with the latest fixture on Sunday, November 1 adding to the players’ competitive experience.

The competing women were joined by a host of male players, including five juniors, with the fixture taking place at Nipper Roe.

In an eagerly contested encounter, the game was decided by two runs.

Notable bowling performances came from Candace Prudham (3-17 off four overs), Lauren Gibson (1-9 off three overs) and Mel Knox (2-4 off three overs).

Mary-Anne Mullane was the most effective player with the bat, striking 15 runs, while she also took three noteworthy catches behind the wickets.

Broome Ladies Cricket Club president Tammara Olds said the game was played in great spirit and that it was vital to give the players a much-needed outing.

“Scott Alexander and Dan McInnes provided valuable support in umpiring the day and coach Ben McInnes ensured the teams were evenly matched and well supported,” she said.

“A huge thanks goes out from BLCC for the incredible support from the men involved in the match and the awesome efforts of some of the Association's younger players in Tom Cole, Max Virgo, Jacob Alexander, Riley Alexander and Campbell Knox.”

In another example of how women’s cricket is progressing in Broome, four female players are in contention to feature in the Country Women’s Carnival in January 2016.

The quartet is on the shortlist to represent a WA regional team in Mount Gambier, South Australia, against their equivalents from across the country.