The Western Eagles won WJPL|02 in fine style with a stunning comeback to defeat 2023 champions Eastern Waves 2-1 in the three match series.

After a second successive last-ball contest on Saturday it looked like the Waves had the early initiative at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

After being asked to bowl first, the Waves struck early by running out Nanda Sakarini, but then had to wait until the 10th over to make further inroads, but that was when the innings turned.

Christelle Van Der Schyff delivered a devastated spell, striking twice in the 10th over, again in the 12th and another double blow, including top scorer Sathya Sandeepani (30) in the 16th over to finish with figures of five for 22 from her four overs.

That spell left the Eagles innings in ruins, and although a few late boundaries lifted them to a total to 85 for eight, the Waves looked extremely confident that their deep batting line up could chase the score.

However the Eagles have shown plenty of fight in this tournament and did so again, as four wickets fell for no runs to wreck the Waves top order and leave them struggling with just eight runs on the board.

Emmerson Filsell started the Waves demise before Rachel Andrew struck a double blow of her own. Shimako Kato then destroyed the middle order, taking three wickets for just five runs, before Sandeepani mopped up the rest to finish with three for 11 to bowl the Waves all out for just 45 and incredibly win the match by 40 runs.

Sandeepani was awarded the MVP for her performance with bat and ball, before the individual accolades were handed out as listed below.

Match Summaries

• Match 1: Eastern Waves, 113/6 beat Western Eagles, 112/6 by four wickets.
• Match 2: Western Eagles 136/6 beat Eastern Waves, 131/4 by 5 runs.
• Match 3: Eastern Waves, 45/10 lost to Western Eagles, 85/10 by 40 runs.

Western Eagles Win Series 2-1

Highlights

Individual Awards

• Tournament Best Batter: Erika Oda (Japan)
• Tournament Best Bowler: Sathya Sandeepani (Sri Lanka)
• Tournament Most Valuable Player: Rachel Andrew (Vanuatu)

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