Williams shines for WA at national championships

Albany cricketer Samara Williams excelled for WA at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, but it wasn’t enough to prevent her side finishing last.

The event was part of the Imparja Cup, held in Alice Springs over the past week.

Williams was one of the shining lights for WA, making 108 runs and taking two wickets in her five matches, but they were unable to overcome Victoria in the fourth and fifth play-off on Monday.

Batting first, WA were bowled out for 72, a total mostly thanks to Williams, who played a lone hand with the bat at the top of the order on her way to a gritty 20 runs from 28 balls.

She was used as a first change bowler in the run chase and finished with 0-27 off her four overs as Victoria got out of trouble to reach the target five wickets down in the 19th over.

The 19-year-old, playing in her fifth women’s championships, had a brilliant day against Victoria in the round robin matches, scoring a maiden half century. Williams top-scored with 51 runs, took 1-6 off two overs, and had a run-out as WA won the match by 69 runs.

“The first game against Victoria was definitely my best,” Williams said.

“I was seeing the ball a bit better and there wasn’t as much pressure as there was against other teams.

“It was my first ever 50 in any cricket — about time, really — but it was great to get that first one.”

Williams bowled well in the opening game of the championships, snaring 1-19 off four overs against Northern Territory, and then made 21 in the run chase.

Currently playing for Uni-versity, Williams averaged 21.6 across her five innings and bowled 13 overs at an economy of 5.9 runs an over.

The young talent praised her team for their improved performance at the tournament.

“We are definitely improving as the years go on — all the girls are getting better at the game,” Williams said.

“We all really enjoyed it and everyone is still learning.”