NSW’s Katrina Wright has played the role of the villain in this year’s Australian Indoor Championships final after snatching the title with her final bowl of the tournament.
Facing off against former national teammate Arleen Jeffrey, Wright looked down and out playing the final end of the tie-break with scores locked at 1-1 and in a perilous position before producing a stunning result down the forehand side to secure the coveted crown.
While the pair split the first set, Wilkie made the decisive move on the second end of the second set with a full-count of four and didn’t look back.
In the process, the 36-year-old became the first player to capture the nation’s three most coveted singles titles after winning the Golden Nugget earlier this month and last year’s Australian Open.
With her heart still pounding after defeating Jeffrey, Wright was understandably jubilant following her win.
“I thought come on, you can do this,” Wright said.
“I didn’t have much room, but I thought I’ve just got to go for it.
“You’ve just go to hang in there, just never say die and you never know what can happen.”
Playing in his final tournament on home soil before departing for Delhi, Wilkie said the Commonwealth Games was nothing but an afterthought, having finally won the Indoors title he had chased for years.
“It’s a great feeling to finally have my name on the trophy,” Wilkie said.
“I love the indoor surface at Tweed Heads and to sit alongside some of the legends of the game like Steve Glasson, Rex Johnston, Kelvin Kerkow and Ian Schuback on the winners’ list is a real honour.
“Hopefully I still have a win left in me for Delhi.”
As a result, Wright and Wilkie will now represent Australia at next year’s World Cup.
