Locals make Aussie cricket final | Gladstone Cricket | Cricket in Gladstone

Rachel Withoos (left) and Samantha Taylor have been selected in the Queensland women’s cricket squad.

Derrick Den Hollander

GLADSTONE Girls Cricket has never been stronger with two of their elite being part of a Queensland state side that made the national finals.

Samantha Taylor and Rachel Withoos both travelled to Brisbane to compete in the national competition.

Their Queensland side did not lose a game leading up to the finals when they faced New South Wales.

Having already beaten NSW in pool play, the team was confident.However this was soon shattered as the NSW side exceeded 200 runs.

Queensland ended up being bowled out for under 80 runs in response.

Despite the disappointment of the loss the girls gained a lot from the weekend said the mother of one of the players.

Both players had difficult times during the national competition.

Withoos found herself under-utilised with the ball, coaches instead relying heavily on spin throughout the week.

When she was used, she was effective with figures of one wicket for five runs off three overs her best.

Taylor also had a tough weekend failing to get a start on a few occasions. However she ended posting a respectable 20 when she did get a start.