Legspinner Grace Parsons and fast Nicola Hancock both shone on their Australia A debuts as the home team won the T20 series against India A by eight wickets, demonstrating the depth of players available.
The two had arrived in Australia a team that substituted Maitlan Brown and Tayla Vlaeminck, ultimately amassing 7 for 44 from eight overs. After that, Tahlia Wilson scored two consecutive half-centuries to take charge of the chase, which she finished with ten deliveries remaining.
Hancock, a 20-year-old who is currently a member of the Brisbane Heat WBBL team despite missing out on a season due to injury, made her T20 debut after having only played for Queensland in the WNCL.
She took four wickets, including the crucial one of Priya Punia, who top-scored in this innings with 29 off 26 balls after playing brilliantly in the first match. After taking two more wickets in the span of three balls, Parsons ended her spell.
“I’ve never actually played a T20 before, apart from at [my] club so today was very nerve wracking,” Parsons stated. I don’t really alter my plans, though.
“It was quite unique. It was good to finish the first game and take a few wickets, but I’m usually anxious at the beginning, especially if I haven’t played cricket for a while. Being called up to the Australian A squad and then getting to play today was a really unique experience. It’s really great.”
After Courtney Sippel was forced to withdraw due to injury, Hancock was a last-minute addition to the team. She took the opening wicket with Nicole Faltum making a superb sprinting catch to remove Shweta Sehrawat off a top edge, conceding just 14 runs in her three overs.
India A struggled to gain momentum due to the frequent loss of wickets, and between the 11th and 13th overs, they once lost 3 for 10.
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The aim did not budge. Australia A despite Katie Mack’s early withdrawal, as Wilson maintained her strong form in the early part of the season. After falling on the first ball in the first game, captain Tahlia McGrath contributed to her team’s speed to the goal with a barrage of boundaries in a stand of 69.
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