South African skipper Dane van Niekirk took just one game to prove her worth to the ACT Meteors and the rest of the WNCL.
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The Meteors import's blistering 63 off 74 balls laid the platform for a stunning Meteors win as they toppled the Victoria Spirit by 30 runs at Manuka Oval on Friday.
The Meteors import played a lone hand as the hosts were bundled out for 203 in 50 overs, with Katie Mack (22 from 30) and captain Erin Osborne (22 from 36) the only other players to pass the 20-run barrier.
But it mattered little against a Victorian outfit sorely missing Australian skipper Meg Lanning in their batting line-up, finishing well short on 7-173.
Victoria were cruising early in their run chase before van Niekirk (3-31) struck to remove Makinley Blows (12) and Sophie Molineux (50) but cheers looked like being few and far between after that.
That was until a Nicola Hancock wicket sparked a mini-collapse that left Victoria reeling at 6-121 and needing more than a run a ball to win.
It was a task that proved insurmountable as the Meteors got their season off to the perfect start under lights on their home turf.
One of world cricket's best all-rounders, van Niekirk's impressive outing suggests the ACT have the firepower to go one better than last year and secure a maiden final berth.
The Meteors back up in round two against Queensland at Manuka Oval on Sunday morning, with the Fire looking to make amends for dropping their season opener against reigning champions New South Wales.
ACT METEORS 203 (Dane van Niekirk 63, Katie Mack 22; Alana King 3-22, Molly Strano 3-39) bt VICTORIA SPIRIT 7-173 (Sophie Molineux 50, Molly Strano 36*; Dane van Niekirk 3-31, Nicola Hancock 2-30) by 30 runs at Manuka Oval on Friday.
