62 SPORT SATURDAY OCTOBER 29 2016 Uneasy past hovers over top-two clash

FROM BACK PAGE revealed he was disappointed committee at the time of the laundry and discuss why and Mary’s, Tiwi Bombers and Coates even became unwit- to be dragged into the saga. Mo Motlop decision. how the decision was made, Palmerston in various fashion tingly involved, when he pub- Both Mo Motlop, pictured, “The committee felt at that but there was not much oppo- to sit atop the ladder, while licly backed the club’s decision. and Coates declined to com- point in time we needed a sition to it. Wanderers’ scalps are Darwin, He was back in Victoria at ment yesterday on the events change of direction — regard- “It had nothing to do with the Waratah and the Bombers. the time and unaware of what of four years ago. less of where we finished that players. It was wholly and solely The match is scheduled for had occurred. Nightcliff’s current presi- year,” Borella said. the committee’s decision.” 4pm tomorrow at Nightcliff’s Coates has since privately dent Jeff Borella was on the “I don’t want to air our dirty The Tigers have beaten St PSC BM Oval. Starc Red Centre signing for WBBL JOSH SPASARO advice and I took it on board. Strikers coach Andrea “It was pretty daunting McCauley said Saville could NEW Strikers being a girl, but the team be a big hit in the WBBL. signing Tabatha Saville first was really supportive and “I’m pretty “The T20 format will re- started to believe in herself they all had my back.” ally suit her style,” when she made her A-grade Saville’s career has pro- excited — I’m McCauley said. reality debut in Alice Springs gressed at a decent rate “She likes playing the against the men. since then. still pinching fancy shots.” She was just 13 playing for She scored two half-cen- myself” The NT’s senior manager Federal and her moment of turies opening the batting of pathways and , truth came when she took for South in the TABATHA SAVILLE Mark Sorell, said Saville’s guard five years ago to this Under-18 Female National selection in the Adelaide day. Championships in January. to be the best person she can squad was a fairytale story. without “We needed one run to Also in January, the 18- be on and off the field at the “You’ve got a girl from win (against Gapview year-old performed admir- Strikers. Alice Springs who’s close to Works) — I was batting at ably for NT Country at the “I want to play my role as playing in one of the biggest No.11, I got it and I was so Women’s Country Cham- well as I can for the team — female cricket competitions glad,” Saville told the NT pionships, averaging 23.5 whether that’s in the field or in the world,” he said. News. from four innings. or even carrying the “Tabatha’s an exciting “After that the A-grade Now Saville — the NT’s drinks,” she said. “I’m pretty batter and brings great en- Mitchell told me to keep my historic first WBBL signing excited — I’m still pinching ergy and passion in the head down, gave me some who can also bowl — wants myself.” field.”

BEN HORNE Australian squad (c), AUSTRALIA is faced with the (vc), , Adam harsh reality that it is one Mit- Voges, , Mitchell chell Starc injury away from Marsh, , , being completely exposed this , , summer. , . Batting frailties overseas have long been Australia’s Commonwealth achilles heel and national selec- Bank Test tor Rod Marsh yesterday of- Series ficially put run-scorers on v South Africa notice, with , F irst Test , Usman Khawaja Nov 3 at WACA, and Peter Nevill all under seri- S econd Test ous pressure to make an impact Nov 12 at Blundstone Arena, Hobart on the scoreboard. T hird Test “If we lost one or two of the Nov 24 at Adelaide Oval Test matches (against South Af- rica) I would predict changes,” sidelined with a horrific leg said Marsh, who wants to see a wound has significantly affec- Test hundred from his name- ted Starc’s preparation, and de- sake and described Khawaja’s spite the left-armer’s durability, recent criticism of his selection he’s never made it through a full panel as not “the smartest thing Test summer, and is yet to play he’s ever said”. in a . But even so, it’s the distinct Rod Marsh insists there is no lack of depth that issue with Australia’s No.1 asset most threatens to derail Steve being underdone. Smith’s side against two highly “Mitchell Starc bowled 20 capable outfits in South Africa overs, there’s nothing wrong and Pakistan. with him,” said Marsh. Spearheads don’t grow on “He’s ready to go.” trees and although Joe Mennie Putting further pressure on has earned his shot at a shock Starc and Hazlewood is the lack Test debut in Perth, his selec- of cricket Peter Siddle has be- tion in a 12-man squad doesn’t hind him after six months out answer the million-dollar ques- with a serious back problem. tion of where would Australia Marsh is comfortable Sid- turn to if Starc or even Josh Ha- dle’s 13 overs for Victoria this zlewood went down. week and significant experi- Alice Springs cricketer Tabatha Starc is the one man in Aus- ence will be good enough for Saville has signed on with the tralia’s arsenal capable of com- him to play a role. WBBL side for the pletely decimating an Siddle is an expert control 2016-17 season opposition and if he’s struggling bowler, but as a strike weapon or unavailable, taking 20 wick- he only has one five- ets to win a match will prove a haul to his name since Decem- whole lot harder. Six weeks ber 2013. Bollinger stars with four as Blues rock Bulls Nightcliff gets some new nets

FORMER national paceman chief destroyer for NSW, Mennie was yesterday picked Australian quick and NSW as- AFTER losing their Darwin Now, after a $150,000 NT sent a reminder claiming 4-32 as the Bulls lost in Australia’s 12-man squad for sistant coach Geoff Lawson to Premier Grade semi-final to Government grant, the club to selectors his career isn’t over 9-88 in the opening session of the opening Test against South suggest he was still good Tracy Village last month, new will have a new five-lane prac- yet, condemning Queensland the final day, collapsing to be Africa in Perth next week, Bol- enough to play . nets could help Nightcliff go tice facility. to a 225-run Sheffield Shield all out for just 139 in pursuit of linger continued to turn back “He is as likely as anyone to one better in 2017. The concrete has been laid flogging at . the 365-run victory target. the clock for the Blues. get out anyone in Australia at The old nets at Nightcliff and the nets are set to be com- The 35-year-old was the While South Australian Joe It was enough for former the moment,” Lawson said. Oval were at least 20 years old. pleted in the next few weeks.

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