The Wanderers Chariots women’s A team showed courage, calm, and class as they edged out Randburg Cricket Club.
They won by six runs in a gripping McDonald’s Premier T20 Challenge final at DP World Wanderers Stadium on October 25. It was a match that tested patience and nerve as the Chariots posted 120 for six from their 20 overs.
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Opener Traci Brest led the charge with a composed half-century, scoring 51 runs from 51 balls. She held the innings together, refusing to crumble under pressure. At the other end, Srilekha Medisetti played the perfect supporting role, guiding the team to a defendable total with a steady unbeaten 29.
Randburg’s bowlers made the Chariots work for every run. Sarah Nettleton bowled with precision, claiming two wickets for just 15 runs, while Alyssa Edwards also struck twice to keep the run rate in check, but one expensive over from Sunette Viljoen-Louw allowed the Wanderers to push the score beyond the reach of comfort.
When it was Randburg’s turn to chase, the tension grew with each delivery. They began confidently, but soon found themselves squeezed by disciplined bowling and sharp fielding from the Chariots. Every run became a battle. Each wicket shifted the energy, and as the overs slipped away, the pressure mounted.
In the final stretch, the Wanderers bowlers held their composure and their opponents fell agonisingly short, finishing on 114 for seven after 20 overs.
The victory sparked celebrations across the Wanderers camp. It was not only a win for the scoreboard, but for spirit, teamwork, and belief.
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Brest was named Player of the Match for her match-winning innings, receiving a cheque for R1 000. The Wanderers Chariots earned R5 000 as tournament champions, while Randburg Cricket Club took home R3 000 as valiant runners-up.
For Earl Glennistor, president of DP World Lions, the final represented something far bigger than a trophy. “The number of women who are starting to play the sport is amazing. It is incredible to see. I am glad that the sport for ladies is on the up.”
As the summer leagues approach, there is a growing sense of excitement around women’s cricket in Gauteng. The Wanderers Chariots’ hard-fought victory is a testament to how far the game has come, and a promise of what lies ahead. Each match, each player, and each cheer from the stands adds to the excitement.
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