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Captains hit the beach ahead of WNCL Final in Hobart

Captains Elyse Villani and Jemma Barsby
Captains Elyse Villani and Jemma Barsby
©Cricket Australia

With warm weather forecast in Hobart, Tasmania and South Australia captains Elyse Villani and Jemma Barsby were at Bellerive Beach this morning as they prepare for tomorrow's Women's National Cricket League Final at Blundstone Arena.

The Tigers and the Scorpions will face off for the Ruth Preddey Cup for the second year running, with the Scorpions looking to avenge last year's loss, which handed the Tigers their maiden WNCL title.

The Final will be broadcast live on cricket.com.au, the Cricket Australia app, Kayo Sports from 2pm AEDT and Fox Sports from 4.30pm AEDT. Entry is free for fans wishing to attend in Hobart.

Tasmania captain Elyse Villani said: “Any team can win it in the Final and South Australia have been incredibly consistent throughout the season. We have been keeping a close eye on them and definitely feel they deserve to be the in final. They've had some really close wins as well, so they've been put under the pump a bit and shown why they are such a good team.

"Last year we hadn't won it and just wanted to go out there and get it done in the big moments. We know we can do it now and this year it's about making sure we do it under pressure again. To do it two years in a row would be very special, it's pretty rare for sporting teams."

South Australia captain Jemma Barsby said: “We go in pretty confident tomorrow, it's a new day and we are just excited for another opportunity.

"Early wickets are key, their top four are really strong and come out and play some aggressive cricket so we have to bowl well to them to have an opportunity to set-up the game.

"The pain of last year and getting flogged in the final - we know what that feeling is like - a few of us are using that as a driving force to not let that happen again."

In a boost for the Scorpions ahead of the Final, 23-year-old Courtney Webb was named WNCL Player-of-the-Year, after scoring 511 runs for the season at an average of over 50.

Webb, who debuted for Tasmania as a 17-year-old in 2017, said she was honoured to be recognised with the award:

"The competition has been played at such a high standard in this extended season, so it is surprising but very rewarding to be acknowledged.

"I can’t thank Luke Williams and the SACA enough for providing me the opportunity and the support to play my role within the Scorpions and to be a part of a successful, talented, and driven team."