2024-25 Young Motors Women’s T20 Cricket League half-way season review

With the 2024-25 Young Motors Women’s T20 Cricket League in hiatus, it is a good opportunity to reflect on where the teams are at and what their futures this season could hold.

CHAPMAN VALLEY-NORTHAMPTON

One win in 10 games but they have shown heart despite a barren summer in which they’ve made 40 or less five times.

Their most fruitful batter is Alexia Wekwerth (93 runs at 9.30). She made 50 of them in one innings — the team’s next highest being an unbeaten 22 by Charlene Miller.

Chloe Phillips (9 wkts at 18.44) has bowled well and Kylie Bremner (8 wkts at 15.50) while underpar with the bat, is taking wickets as is Wekwerth (8 wkts at 20.37).

Prediction: Wooden spoon

TOWNS

Hard year. The nadir was being all out for 13 in one game along with three other tallies in the 40s. Their best is just 6-89.

Ruth Vorster (163 runs at 20.37) is their sole batting success. Next best, with 51 runs, is Corinne Lynch.

Vorster is also productive with the ball (13 wkts at 12.76) and Rebekah MacLachlan (10 wkts at 20.30) has improved. Indiana Burns (6 wkts at 8) has shone in her four games.

Prediction: Third

SPORTSMANS

Will be in the grand final on February 15 but will they win it? Unlikely.

Belinda Burrows (172 runs at 28.66) is their leading bat followed by Sarah Prickett (123 at 24.6) while Jess Wake and Amanda Gundry are close to tallying 100 runs.

Jo Walker (18 wkts at 4.88) has been amazing while Tia Hatch (13 at 3) in only six games is superb when available. Isabelle MacPherson (11 at 14.45) and Wake (10 at 11.5) have impressed.

Prediction: Runner-up but have the attack to win the decider if their batters can make enough runs

WANDERERS

Unbeaten and in truth, unbeatable.

Their batting features Abby Green (378 runs at 47.25) and Olivia Bidwell (357 at 44.62) plus Meg Spalding who is as good but only played three games due to other commitments.

There’s also Sam Biddiscombe (124 at 17.71) and Layne Gillingham (92 at 15.33). Charli Bidwell hasn’t made many runs (nine dismissals with the gloves though) but a key wicket all the same.

Their bowling? Check these numbers: Biddiscombe (16 wkts at 2), Gillingham (14 at 3.35 inc a hat trick), Ashlyn Thompson (12 at 3.58), Kasey Maynard (15 at 4.53) and Olivia Bidwell (10 at 6.9).

And if for some reason they all miss out, Green and Chelsea Bidwell are other options.

Prediction: Premiership three-peat