The Women’s T20 season is set to reach its climax this Thursday when Dandenong and Box Hill meet at Russell Lucas Oval
This Grand Final will be the final decider this week following the U18 Women’s, Marg Jennings and Dowling Shield Grand Finals on Tuesday and Thursday.
With only four losses between the two in the T20 season, it looks set to be a hard-fought game between the Panthers and Mustangs.
T20 Season So Far
Both Dandenong and Box Hill had similar seasons in the T20 competition, with Dandenong’s superior net run rate seeing them finish on top.
The Panthers two losses came during the middle part of the season, dropping games against Box Hill and Melbourne at Beaumaris Secondary College.
Outside of those losses Dandenong were near flawless, particularly when bowling where they conceded just under 94 runs per innings in their five wins.
With the ball they’ve been led by Jessica Matin who’s picked up eight wickets at an average of just over 13. Brooklyn Diwell has also supported her, so far taking six wickets at over 19.
Ishita Tiwari has starred with bat in hand, scoring 128 runs at 64, whilst Ireland captain Gaby Lewis has also scored 101 runs with an average of 25.
On the other hand, Box Hill’s two losses bookended their season, losing to Plenty Valley away from home in Round 2 and then Ringwood at Box Hill City Oval in the final round.
Their bowling brigade has also been key to their success this season, conceding under 93 runs per innings in their five games.
Emilia Wilson starred with eight wickets at 14 while a further three players took five or more wickets this season.
Yashoda Senarathne has led all comers for Box Hill with the bat, scoring 169 runs with an average of 28.
Key Players –
Zoe Griffiths
Been a superb season from the all-rounder across both the T20 and One-Day competitions.
In the shortest format, Griffiths has taken five wickets with ball in hand, averaging just over 20 runs per wicket and taking them at a strike rate of 25.2.
With the bat, she sits sixth in the leading run scorers, scoring a total of 146 runs at an average of under 49.
Her last three T20 innings against Dandenong, Melbourne and Prahran have seen her finish not out and with scores north of 30.
In both One-Dayers and T20s, Griffiths has scored 288 runs at an average of 36 whilst she’s also taken 15 wickets at an average of 17.8.
Meg Lanning
Lanning's career at both International and Domestic level is legendary and the 5-time World Cup winner's return will add more fire power to the Mustangs line-up.
Jessica Matin
She too has also been a key cog for Dandenong this season, particularly with ball in hand.
Matin’s eight wickets this season see her sit third in the leading wicket takers column, two behind first-placed Katia Jomini.
Hasn’t had it her own way with the bat but she is still the Panthers fourth leading run scorer in T20s with 65 runs.
Did find some form though in that area just before Christmas, scoring 80 runs, including 42 in her most recent match against Box Hill in the 50 over format.
That late run of form has seen Matin increase her total runs tally to 130 across both formats on top of her 12 wickets at just under 21 runs per wicket.
Nicole Faltum
Having enjoyed success in the W/BBL with the Melbourne Renegades this season the Victorian vice-captain's return will add valuable experience and bolster the Panthers top order.
What each team had to say –
Box Hill Coach Michael Vozzo
“The girls are super excited. They have worked so hard and thoroughly deserve their opportunity to shine on the big stage. They have never lost faith in their ability to perform and look forward to showcasing this on Thursday.”
Dandenong Playing Group
“(We) are pumped and excited as a group and can’t wait to get out under the lights. Although this is a First XI final, this is a reward for the club as a whole, where every athlete at Dandenong CC has contributed to (us) getting to the big stage at some point.”
Last Meeting (T20s) – Sunday 24th November, Box Hill (2-106, 18.5 overs) defeated Dandenong (7-105cc) by eight wickets
The second game of a double header at Beaumaris Secondary College for both the Mustangs and Panthers, with the latter winning out.
Majority of the damage was done in the early stages for Box Hill, restricting Dandenong to 6-36 in the first 10 overs.
Dandenong rallied late, losing just one more wicket for a further 69 runs in the final 10 overs to boost their total north of 100 at the end of their 20 overs.
And whilst the Panthers put in a strong effort with the ball, the Mustangs were able to chase down their opponents total with eight wickets in hand and seven balls to spare.
Zoe Griffiths led all comers with the bat, finishing 32 not out off 33 balls. Teammate Indigo Gentry also had one of her best performances with the ball, taking 3-16 off her four overs.
Kamaljot Kaur and Sophie Strickland both scored 25 in Dandenong’s batting innings, with Matin and Thivyaa Mahendran the Panthers only wicket takers.
Last Grand Final Meeting: 2020/21 Women’s First XI One-Day Grand Final – Dandenong (182 all out) defeated Box Hill (174 all out) by eight runs @ Junction Oval
An unbelievable Grand Final which saw the Panthers just hold off Box Hill in the final overs of the Mustangs innings.
It was the third low-scoring encounter between the two that season, with Dandenong having won the previous two during the home and away season.
From current AFLW star Jasmine Fleming to Victoria women’s captain Nicole Faltum, there were stars all across the park in the 2020/21 decider.
No star was more vital though than current Australian bowler Kim Garth who scored 52 off 101 balls before taking 4-34 to push the Panthers over the line.