Learoyd’s maiden domestic century overshadowed as South Australia defeat NSW in WNCL thriller

Callan Morse Published January 21, 2023 at 1.35pm (AWST)

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Anika Learoyd registered her first one-day domestic century in New South Wales' loss to South Australia. Image - Sarah Reed-Getty Images

A maiden one-day domestic century to Gumbaynggirr young gun Anika Learoyd was not enough to secure victory for New South Wales in Round 10 of the Women's National Cricket League.

Batting at three, Learoyd compiled a stellar 131 in NSW's 10-278 against the South Australian Scorpions at Adelaide's Karen Rolton Oval.

After Kate Peterson dismissed NSW opener Saskia Horley (16 from 16), the 20 year old partnered with Tahlia Wilson (76 from 99) on in a 164-run second wicket stand, the sixth highest partnership of the WNCL this season.

Learoyd dominated both pace and spin of the Scorpions attack, striking 13 boundaries and three sixes in her 128 ball innings on the batter friendly surface.

Tahlia Wilson Anika Learoyd combined for a 164-run second wicket partnership. Image: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

She was especially damaging through the covers and square on the leg side, repeatedly piercing gaps in the South Australian field before accelerating towards the final overs of NSW's innings.

Not to be outdone, Wilson struck eight boundaries of her own however it was Learoyd, with a strike rate of 102.34 who anchored the NSW innings.

Her 40-over stay at the crease ended partway through the 45th over after attempting to hit medium pace bowler Kate Peterson over mid wicket, skying the ball to Brooke Harris at cover.

Apart from Learoyd and Wilson, no other batter passed 20 in the innings with NSW bowled out in the final over.

Peterson (4-56) was the pick of the Scorpions bowlers, with Amanda-Jade Wellington (3-55) and Brooke Harris (2-47) the other multiple wicket takers.

In response, middle order pair Madeline Penna (113*) and Jemma Barsby (73*) were instrumental in guiding the Scorpions to victory with four balls to spare.

After being 3-50 at one point, Penna combined with Josie Dooley (64 from 84) in a 94-run third wicket partnership before being joined by Barsby to chase down the remaining 136 runs from just 106 balls.

In other WNCL Round 10 action, the ACT were also victorious for the first time this season with Heather Graham's 109 not enough for Tasmania to chase down the Meteors 9-261, the Tigers falling 11 runs short.

Learoyd striking one of her 13 innings boundaries. Image: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

Pace bowler Gabrielle Sutcliffe (4-35) was the chief destroyer with the ball for the Meteors, with Katie Mack (67 from 83) top scoring for the ACT with the bat.

Victoria's 8-210 was comfortably chased down by Queensland largely thanks to Laura Harris' 33 ball 81, the Fire passing the target score four down with more than 10 overs to spare.

The victory leaves Queensland atop the WNCL ladder on 33 points, followed by South Australia and Tasmania.

WNCL Round 10 action continues on Saturday with South Australia again playing NSW at Karen Rolton Oval on Saturday.