Australia’s 50-over domestic competition Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) will kick start from Friday (December 17). Victoria Women will face New South Wales in the opening game at CitiPower Centre and Tasmania Tigers Women will face defending champions Queensland Fire at Blundstone Arena.
WNCL Team Preview-
ACT Meteors
Australian Capital Territory Meteors (ACT Meteors) will miss Maitlan Brown as she joined NSW Breakers. However, they have signed bowlers Gabrielle Sutcliffe and Chloe Rafferty. ACT will also miss veteran Erin Osborne as she wants to dedicate more time to her coaching aspirations.
All eyes will be on in-form Katie Mack and Madeline Penna. Both had a wonderful WBBL season for Adelaide Strikers. New signing Kayla Burton will also be one to watch out for.
ACT contracted players:
Angela Reakes, Katie Mack, Madeline Penna, Kayla Burton, Gabrielle Sutcliffe, Chloe Rafferty, Carly Leeson, Matilda Lugg, Olivia Porter, Rebecca Carter, Erica Kershaw, Amy Yates, Nicola Hancock, Zoe Cooke
NSW Breakers
One of the most successful teams of WNCL will be led by Alyssa Healy. Rachael Haynes, who made a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury, scored 139 runs recently in premier cricket. Breakers have added Maitlan Brown into their bowling attack. Sammy Jo- Johnson can provide an attacking hand. Breakers also have Australian internationals Ashleigh Garnder, Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington and Erin Burns.
Hannah Darlington will be one to look out for as she recently scored a hundred in Premier cricket. She also had a good WBBL season as a bowler. Young guns Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia Wilson, Jade Allen, Anika Learoyd and Claire Moore are also the ones to watch out for. It will be interesting to watch what XI NSW will go with.
NSW contracted players:
Alyssa Healy, Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Emma Hughes, Sammy Jo- Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Lauren Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson
Queensland Fire
Defending champions Queensland Fire have not made any changes except the inclusion of Ruth Johnston. Delissa Kimmince retired from cricket while Tess Cooper has not renewed her contract.
In-form stars Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne can provide attacking hands. Mikayla Hinkley, Jess Jonassen, Megan Dixon and Georgia Prestwidge could play a vital role.
Laura Kimmince, who picked up an injury during her WBBL stint, is mostly unavailable here. Also, Beth Mooney has taken time off in order to prepare for the upcoming Ashes tournament.
Ruth Johnston and Lilly Mills are the ones to look out for in this WNCL season. Both the players had a pretty good WBBL season for their respective teams.
Queensland contracted players:
Megan Dixon, Holly Ferling, Grace Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Ruth Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Laura Kimmince, Charli Knott, Caitlyn Mair, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll
South Australia
South Australia has signed Kate Peterson and that is their only change in the squad. They look like a settled group. Darcie Brown who had a wonderful WBBL season will play an important role. Tahlia McGrath who was exceptional in Australia- India series and WBBL will play a huge part.
Amanda- Jade Wellington will be the one player to keep an eye on because she might get a chance to make a comeback into the Australian side for the Ashes.
South Australia contracted players
Jemma Barsby, Sam Betts, Emma De Broughe, Darcie Brown, Eliza Doddridge, Josie Dooley, Ellie Falconer, Brooke Harris, Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Kate Peterson, Alex Price, Megan Schutt, Courtney Webb, Amanda- Jade Wellington
Tasmanian Tigers Women
Tasmania have signed Elyse Villani and Molly Strano. Both the players were the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker respectively for Victoria in the last WNCL season. Emma Manix- Geeves has replaced Emma Thompson who is on maternity leave.
Leg-spinner Amy Smith will be a key player along with Molly Strano. Naomi Stalenberg is in excellent form after scoring a ton in the last Premier Cricket match.
Tasmanian Tigers contracted players
Chloe Abel, Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Corinne Hall, Emma Manix-Geeves, Sasha Moloney, Rachel Priest, Hayley Silver- Holmes, Amy Smith, Emily Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani
Victoria
The first two matches will be led by Ellyse Perry in the absence of Meg Lanning. Molly Strano and Elyse Villani left Victoria for Tasmania. Another major loss for Victoria is the injuries of the all-rounders Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham during WBBL. With no Villani, Molineux and Lanning the top order might be a challenge. However, Annabel Sutherland who opens for Melbourne Stars in WBBL can open for Victoria along with Makinley Blows who has experience as an opener.
Despite the loss of both the spinners, Victoria still has Sam Bates, Sophie Day and Ella Hayward. Perry, Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Kim Grath and Tess Flintoff are their fast bowlers. All eyes will be on Flintoff as she had a great WBBL season.
Victoria contracted players:
Tiana Atkinson, Samantha Bates, Makinley Blows, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Ella Hayward, Anna Lanning, Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Sophie Molineux, Rhiann O’Donnell, Ellyse Perry, Lara Shannon, Annabel Sutherland, Amy Vine, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
Western Australia
Western Australia recruited Maddy Drake and all-rounder Lisa Griffith from New South Wales. Alana King, who had a wonderful WBBL season, will play an important role. The inclusion of Drake and Griffith will stabilize the squad.
Western Australia Contracted players:
Nicole Bolton (retired from WNCL), Zoe Britcliffe, Mathilda Carmichael, Sheldyn Cooper, Madeleine Darke, Ashley Day, Amy Edgar, Lisa Griffith, Molly Healy, Alana King, Courtney Neale, Chloe Piparo, Georgia Wyllie.
*Contracted players list is from Cricket.com.au
