Shooting Stars live up to their name

Runs flowed as the Shooting Stars soared past the Comets in the opening clash of the Hedland First National Women’s Cricket T20 competition.

The Shooting Stars blasted their way to a record score of 150 at the Kevin Scott Oval last week.

Comets struck early with Christelle Lee breaking the opening partnership, taking the wicket of Sophie Marlow for just one run.

The Stars rebuilt their innings on the back of a strong performance by opener Tracey Marlow who made 22 from her 28 balls faced.

The Comets got themselves back in the game when Bree Wilson fell for eight runs off the bowling of Lyn Poharama.

Jane Wichura smashed three fours on her way to 33 from 25 balls before Zoe Campbell blasted the Stars to a dominant position with 31 from just 21 balls, with five fours and a six.

Poharama had the best bowling figures for the Comets going for 15 runs from her three overs while Lee conceded just 17 from three overs with both taking a wicket each.

The Comets responded positively before Teah Heenah was run out by Wichura for just 14 and Campbell ran out Lee for 23.

Errant bowling from the Stars kept the Comets in the game with 50 extras bowled before a strong bowling performance from Sophie Marlow helped the Stars get over the line.

The final scores were Stars 2-150 (20 overs) defeating the Comets 2-140 (20 Overs).

Shooting Stars player Tracey Marlow said the team started better then they did last year. She both sides had improved since last year.

“Our batting has improved, our bowling improved, there are more balls in the right spot, and we’re all getting better and better,” she said.

“We spread out our bowlers so that at the end we were able to take control.”

Port Hedland Cricket Association female co-ordinator Chris Ams said the women’s game differed slightly to the men’s. Ams said each batter could face only 20 deliveries before retiring. When wickets fall, previously retired players can return to the crease.

“The game was high quality, and it’s the highest-scoring game in the history of the competition, the previous best score was 122,” he said.

“To score 140 and 150 is pretty awesome.”