Article written by Grey Morris (Darwin, NT) who is a former Sports Editor at News Corporation
The Northern Territory's first match at the under-16 women's National Cricket Championships almost produced a sensational debut win in Ballarat.
Their opponents, Tasmania, passed the NT's total of 4-122 in the final over to secure a last gasp win after looking out of the contest at the halfway mark of their innings.
Coach Bronte Stray could not contain her delight at the performance, saying her side had gained significant confidence despite the agony of a last-over loss.
"It's a tough ask to bring a team together a few days before a tournament with players from Darwin, Alice Springs, and Victoria and expect them to all mesh and become a winning team," she said.
"Things like running between wickets, knowing who to bowl to, and who to rely on all take time, but the girls were absolutely amazing and they're acting like a bonded family with so much good energy going around."
"The way the girls played today, we've got a real chance of beating quite a few teams I think because the girls have proved themselves exceptionally well" she added.
A superb 56 from as many balls by Victorian import Trisha Bajaj set up the Territory girls' 4-122 from 21 overs after skipper Skylah Henwood won the toss and batted.
The game was shortened from 50 overs due to persistent rain before the start of play and again after 11 overs. It meant quick runs were required and Bajaj responded by hitting six boundaries before she was dismissed going for a big hit over mid-on.
Tracy Village's Ekan Dhillon (11) added good support before the overs ran out, leaving the NT side in a strong position at the halfway stage.
In response, Tasmania passed the Territory's score in the 21st and final over thanks to some late big hitting from Mia Barwick (38no) and Mackenzie Stewart (11no).
There were plenty of good signs from the Territory's bowlers, including the accurate leg spin of Bajaj with her two wickets and the fast-medium bowling of skipper Henwood, who always posed a threat to the Tasmanian batters.
Local bowlers Jordi O’Toole and Joanna Pickett also contributed with some economical overs throughout the innings. The Territory's ground fielding was another highlight, with Joanna Pickett's superb run out of Tasmanian opening bat Hannah Scott, while Naomi McMahon showed her skills with the gloves after a well-executed stumping off a wide delivery.
The next game on the agenda is a 50-over game against the ACT, a contest the NT will be confident they can win after the narrow loss.
Scoreboard: Tasmania 4-127 (M Barwick 38no, C Casey 24, A Weeding 21, T Bajaj 2-30, E Wood 1-22) defeated Northern Territory 4-122 (T Bajaj 56, E Dhillon 11, H Scott 2-11, M Stewart 1-11) by 4 wickets.