Ball blitz is enough to paper over bat failings
GOLD Coast got out of jail yesterday to maintain their lead atop the Katherine Raymont Shield one-day ladder.
The Dolphins overcame a lacklustre batting display to account for University of Queensland by 49 runs in their 50-over encounter.
Entering the game at St Lucia with a three-point advantage over second-placed Sandgate-Redcliffe, the Dolphins secured their sixth win in seven 50-over outings despite being bowled out for 126 inside 33 overs.
UQ’s run chase appeared on track as they reached 1-52 midway through their innings.
The go-slow approach seemed to be working until the loss of Taylor Hamblin – who had crawled to nine from 65 deliveries – before a stunning batting collapse.
The hosts lost 8-25 to be bowled out for 77 in the 42nd over to hand the visitors another crucial win in the chase for finals.
Dolphins captain Belinda McDougall did the bulk of the damage with the ball, claiming 4-22 from 10 overs, while Tara Wheeler and Amy Riddell both bagged 2-15.
Only two batters – Georgia Kerr (28) and Georgia Relf (11) – were able to reach double figures for UQ, who sit third in the one-day standings.
It was a similar story in Gold Coast’s innings, with Wheeler (43), Carly Fuller (33) and McDougall (12) the only players to pass 10 in a display they will hope to put behind them given the looming finals.
Lauryn Anderson claimed the impressive figures of 5-17 – including the key scalp of Wheeler – from her eight overs after opening the bowling for UQ.
The Dolphins will now prepare for Sunday’s Katherine Raymont Shield battle with Wynnum-Manly/Redlands at Bill Pippen Oval.