LISA Griffith may not have been in the New South Wales first XI for Saturday’s Women’s National Cricket League grand final, but when it came time for the Breakers to belt out their victory song she was in full voice.
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It was because the Bathurst all-rounder had played a role in helping the Breakers extend their remarkable run of WNCL premiership success, Saturday’s 31-run win over Queensland sealing their 20th title.
After an eight-year hiatus, Griffith returned to the Breakers fold this season.
She started in two games for NSW at a time when the Breakers’ Australian representatives were on Twenty20 World Cup duties.
Griffith shone in a 71-run win over Victoria, making 44 opening the batting then backing that up with an economical 0-17 off four overs.
READ MORE: Griffith helps Breakers to vital WNCL win
She also opened the batting in a match NSW lost to the Western Fury – this time making 28. Griffith was not required to bowl.
In total the Bathurst talent scored 72 runs at a handy 54.13 strike rate, 28 of them having come in boundaries.
For Saturday’s decider at North Sydney Oval against Queensland Fire, Griffith watched on from the boundary and willed her team-mates on.
They made 7-259 batting first and in reply dismissed Queensland for 288 with 16 balls remaining.
It was Nicola Carey, who also played alongside Griffith with the Sydney Thunder this season, who snared the final wicket
She was named player of the final after her 50 from 67 balls and impressive figures of 3-39 from 8.2 overs.
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“It was a win for the group as well,” NSW captain Alyssa Healy said, acknowledging the efforts of players like Griffith who did not line up on Saturday.
“It had been a really tough WNCL, we’ve had players missing here, there and everywhere and players coming in and out.
“It’s been a tremendous season, every single member of this squad has really contributed on and off the field and it’s great that it’s culminated in this win.
“Obviously a fantastic result today, winning the WNCL for the 20th time out of 23 years.”