Wanderers and Sporties captains anticipate ‘closer than ever’ clash in fifth straight grand final meeting

Wanderers and Sportsmans are gearing up to play their fifth consecutive Young Motors T20 Women’s grand final against each other, but their grand final track records could not be more different. In their previous meetings, Olivia Bidwell’s Wanderers have claimed all four victories, but Jo Walker’s Sporties will hope to claim their elusive maiden grand final win on Saturday night at Wonthella. Wanderers had a near flawless season, their only blemish being a 16-run loss against Sporties back in round four, with Wanderers the victors in the other three clashes, including last week’s nail-biting one-run win. Although they narrowly escaped defeat last weekend, Bidwell said it sets up an thrilling clash. “Although it’s still a win, it just almost makes it more exciting knowing that it would be a lot closer this year,” she said. Walker agrees, despite their head-to head record and said her team was raring to go. “This season it feels like we’re closer than ever to them. We’ve had a few injuries and Sunday was a good test for those players. Training was really good on Tuesday and everyone’s pumped for it,” she said. On paper, Wanderers have the finals track record and form to get the job done, but Walker said her side had embraced being the underdogs. “Wanderers are the most talented team, so they’re right. We are the underdogs, but everyone loves an underdog story. Hopefully we can get it this year,” she said. Both sides boast some serious firepower with the bat and lethal bowling options, with both captains confident in what their players can bring to the table. For Wanderers, Bidwell (383 runs at 42.55 and 12 wickets at 8.50), is expected to be a key player. Others include Abby Green (212 runs at 23.55 and 11 wickets at 8.36), Ashlyn Thompson (116 runs at 10.54 and 17 wickets at 4.82) and Charli Bidwell (133 runs at 17 and 10 dismissals with the gloves). Meg Spalding (averaging 17 with the bat and 13.50 with the ball) has been flagged by Walker as a dangerous player. “I know my players’ abilities. It gives me confidence knowing that if they’ve had a good day, our whole team has success,” Bidwell said. “As with grand finals and with cricket, anything can happen. So you’ve always got to be on top of it.” In the other dugout, Shyanne Thomas-Mirrielees has been outstanding for Sporties (331 runs at 41.37 and 17 wickets at 8.00), while Walker (14 wickets at 9.50) is a match-winner. Tia Hatch (74 runs at 14.80 and 8 wickets at 14.87), Jess Wake (124 runs at 17.71 and 7 wickets at 15.42) and Stacey Jerrard (106 runs at 17.66 and 8 wickets at 12.00) are good all-rounders. Belinda Burrows, who though carrying an injury, is a quality batter who often saves her best for Wanderers. Walker believed her side’s strength was its willingness to try new things and adapt to match situations. “If I throw the ball to someone different or if they get moved up or down the batting order, they will always take that challenge,” she said. “That’s the best thing about Sporties this year. I can also do that with brand new players, like Tegan Brooks and Ellie Blackmore.” Walker hoped to lean on the advice of the new players, who come from winning backgrounds in other sports. “I want them to hopefully change the culture of Sporties and bring that winning culture to us,” she said. “Winning a grand final would mean so much to the original players but also to those new players who we want to love cricket.” Meanwhile, Bidwell said her side would draw on past success to guide them over the line. “We’ve done it for so long and we know what our expectations are. We’ve just got to follow through to the best of our ability because we know what we can achieve,” she said. “We’ve been on top for so long and there’s always been that thought of when the reign might end. You never want it to be now.” Although there’s not a lot opposing captains can agree on, both Bidwell and Walker concur it will be an exciting game and hope to get a big crowd at Wonthella on Saturday night, with the first ball at 6.30pm.