Friday was a momentous day at The Willows. It was when twelve former NZ players came together to take on some of the best schoolgirl cricketers in the country. It was a chance for the players of yesteryear to dust off their cricket skills (many of them very dusty) and test themselves again. For their schoolgirl counterparts, it was a chance to pitch their skills against experience and to revel in the atmosphere of The Willows.

After winning the toss, the Schoolgirls XI started in circumspect fashion against tight opening bowling from the International XI bowlers, Missy Banks and Kate Ebrahim. However, once the opening salvo had been seen off, the schoolgirls began to open their shoulders and score freely. Runs came from power hitter Izzy Sharp (50 retired), Niamh McKenzie (a fine 38) and Kate Chandler (34 retired). The remaining Schoolgirl batters saw their team through to one run short of a double century.

The Internationals set about the run chase in commanding fashion. Rebecca Rolls and Abby Gerken batted positively hitting anything short and running well between wickets. However, with the score on 95, Gerken was run out for 23 by an excellent throw from Hannah Francis. Rolls continued the momentum scoring a fine 70 (retired). Kate Ebrahim joined Kirsty Bond and they continued the push towards the winning total. However, regular wickets continued to fall leaving the Internationals to score 12 off the final over. A two and a four off the first two balls raised the Internationals XI hopes. The third delivery was hit powerfully down the ground by Ebrahim (60) and looked for all money to be heading for another boundary when Izzy Sharp plucked the ball from above her head for a fine catch giving Kate Chandler figures of 3/35. The Internationals were unable to score the remaining runs and the Schoolgirls were victorious by three runs. A fitting end to a hard fought and even contest. Congratulations to the Schoolgirls XI.

NZ Internationals XI

1. Kirsty Bond
2. Rebecca Rolls
3. Emily Drumm
4. Kate Ebrahim
5. Jennifer Logan
6. Lisa Astle
7. Catherine Campbell
8. Abby Gerken
9. Paula Winsor
10. Missy Banks
11. Selena Charteris
12. Liz Signal

The Willows Schoolgirls XI

1. Izzy Sharp (Craighead Diocesan)
2. Kate Chandler (Wellington Girls’ College)
3. Kate Hastings (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
4. Niamh McKenzie (St Margaret’s College)
5. Hannah Francis (Chilton St James School)
6. Abby McKissock (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
7. Dhriti Girish (Queen Margaret College)
8. Joey Hull (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
9. Aine Molony (St Andrew’s College)
10. Hannah O’Connor (St Hilda’s Collegiate)
11. Estella Wallace (Christchurch Girls’ High School)
12. Chloe Deerness (St Hilda’s Collegiate)