BATHURST duo Lisa Griffith and Bec Cady may have been surprised to earn a place in the NSW Country side to play at the Australian Country Cricket Championships, but they are proving more than worthy of the baggy blue cap.
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This season marks the return of the duo to the game, Griffith having taken a break from the sport while injury had sidelined Cady.
But their previous efforts had not been forgotten by NSW Country selectors.
Griffith was named as skipper for the inaugural Bush Breakers, while Cady was given the nod as the side’s wicket-keeper to compete at the nationals in Wollongong.
After Sunday’s third round Twenty20 match against East Asia Pacific, Griffith’s Bush Breakers were undefeated.
The pair began their campaign on Friday night against Queensland Country, the Bush Breakers winning by four runs as Griffith made a successful return to representative cricket.
While she did not take a wicket as Queensland finished its 20 overs at 1-133, Griffith was a standout with the bat.
Coming in a number four, she hit an unbeaten 49 off 48 deliveries to steer her side to victory. Her knock included seven boundaries.
Lisa is killing it and I’m absolutely loving it. I’m so happy I’m back.
- Bec Cady
On Saturday it was Cady’s turn to impress when the Bush Breakers defeated Northern Territory by 34 runs.
This time the NSW side batted first and Cady, who opened alongside Cowra’s Amy Edgar, cracked 42 off 39 balls.
That helped her side to 5-133 off their 20 overs. It was a total that NSW easily defended, Cady taking a catch and Griffith 1-19 off four overs as Northern Territory managed 6-99 in reply.
Sunday’s match was much closer against East Asia Pacific, but Griffith once more led by example.
The visitors won the toss, elected to bat first and finished the 20 overs at 5-100.
Griffith did not take a wicket in her two overs, which went for 10 runs, but she did take an early catch.
However, it was her effort with the bat which proved crucial once more. She arrived at the crease with her side at 2-21 and went on to anchor the chase.
The Centennials Bulls cricketer scored 34 runs at a run-a-ball, accelerating in the latter part of the innings as her team-mates fell around her.
NSW needed 11 runs off the final over to win, with Griffith and Amy Riddell (11 not out) getting the job done with three wickets in hand.
“Lisa is killing it and I’m absolutely loving it. I’m so happy I’m back,” Cady said.
The Bush Breakers were set to face Victoria Country on Sunday evening and South Australia Country on Monday.
The final of the championships is on Wednesday.