Ellie Johnston, a recruit from South Australia, led her new team to the top of the WNCL standings when ACT lost by four wickets at Karen Rolton Oval after blowing a commanding lead.
The Meteors’ 6-248 lead was quickly taken by Courtney Webb (53 off 56), but SA’s aggressive approach backfired as they lost to 6-185 in their second meeting in three days in Adelaide.
However, Johnston, who moved to South Australia during the winter, hooked up with captain Jemma Barsby, a native of Sunshine State who gave Johnston her South Australia cap on Friday, and they dominated the match with an undefeated 63-run partnership at the seventh wicket.
With 7.3 overs remaining, the hard-hitting Johnston (who is not on a state contract) crushed Holly Ferling for three straight boundaries to finish on 65 not out of 51 balls.
Her previous career-high score in 26 games for Queensland was 34. This was her first-ever WNCL fifty. Barsby was undefeated at the other end with 28 not out of 32, having taken 2-63 from 10 overs with her finger spin earlier.
SA is now leading the WNCL standings with nine points, one point ahead of the defending champions Tasmania (also on nine) on net run rate, following their victory with a bonus point on Friday.
ACT, who had been soundly defeated two days prior, were formidable again this time as their competitive 245 was supported by Carly Leeson’s 71 not out of 101 balls.
However, the Meteors’ momentum was halted by two mini-collapses of 3-9 and 3-3, with South African bowlers Amanda-Jade Wellington (2-33 from 10) and Elanor Larosa (3-30) proving to be a formidable combination.
Anesu Mushangwe, a former SA leggie, was ACT’s best player with the ball, scoring 1–38, while Grace Dignam finished with 2–49. Johnston, however, was unstoppable as she hit eight fours and a six to get her side home.
