Wanderers teammates Sam Biddiscombe & Olivia Bidwell say friendly cricket rivalry is fun

Two young guns are in the running for the title of Geraldton’s top women’s cricketer.

And friends and Wanderers teammates Olivia Bidwell and Sam Biddiscombe say they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Sam is a great teammate,” Bidwell said.

“We both support and help push each other to do our best, but our team and team success comes first.”

Biddiscombe said having a friend as her closest rival was what the game was about.

“It’s always nice seeing someone else on your team at the top as well,” she said.

“It helps push us to do better and shows supporting each other with healthy competition helps a lot.

“I wouldn’t want it to be anyone else.”

Cricket writer Victor Tanti said the battle for top spot was a tight one, with each player bringing different strengths to the side, and there were two more games to decide the winner.

“Olivia and Sam are locked in a tight battle for the honours,” Tanti said.

“Bidwell has made more runs but Biddiscombe has more wickets.”

Bidwell is 634 points in the cricketer of the year standings and Biddiscombe is on 574.

Wanderers are 18 points clear on the Young Motors women’s T20 ladder after they beat Sportsmans last Sunday.

They are favourites for their first flag, with Sporties second and Chapman Valley-Northampton third.

The Bluff Point side that swept all before them two years ago in the first local women’s competition sadly dissolved after a single season and have yet to re-form.

Towns, who were beaten by Bluff Point in the grand final, went one better in 2021 and won the flag.

But without powerhouse Janelle Phillips, who is nursing a shoulder back into the competition in the last few rounds of the season after major surgery, they will not be able to defend their flag.

Whoever wins in the chase for the title and the best player gong, local cricket benefits from the race.