Two long time friends never thought they would be reaching major cricket milestones on the same day. But the Auckland Hearts pair of Michelle Lynch and Natalee Scripps made their own history against the Canterbury Magicians over the weekend.
The Hearts duo each made 150. Scripps became the first player within the women’s league to take 150 wickets while Lynch scored 150 in a single innings with the bat, more than doubling her former highest score of 69.
The friends have been playing along side each other since age group grades and were picked at the same time for the White Ferns, so for Scripps and Lynch it was a momentous occasion.
“It’s special,” Scripps said. “I was excited when she was getting close to her 150. She got it on the last run to win the game. It’s very cool to have a double. I’ll never forget it.”
* Natalee Scripps celebrating a wicket
Scripps took the wicket of Magicians’ batsman Mandy Goldiman to claim her 150th first class wicket and said it was a goal to reach the milestone this season. “At the start of the season I only needed 12 wickets to reach 150 and I started to get nervous as I closed on the target,” she said. “But I’m relieved to have reached it!”
Lynch scored her 150 off 143 balls, including smacking 18 fours and was over the moon about setting a new personal best. “I didn’t realise I had made that many until I came off,” she said. “I guess in the one day game it’s your dream as a batsman to make that total.”
She also plays indoor cricket, which helps with her fitness. The fast paced indoor game has helped her develop her skills for the outdoor formats. “I’ve learnt a lot about team sport from indoor cricket. It’s a great sport and I’d like to see it develop and go further.”
