The Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 clash between Victoria Women and Western Australia Women at Junction Oval delivered a pulsating finish that perfectly showcased the competitiveness of Australian domestic cricket. In a contest where momentum swung repeatedly across the 100 overs, it was Western Australia Women who ultimately held their nerve to seal a thrilling four-run win in this high-scoring WNCL encounter.
Western Australia’s innings did not begin on the firmest footing. They lost Maddy Darke for 9 (10 balls) at 1-15 in just the 2.5th over, dismissed by Tess Flintoff, who struck early and set the tone with the new ball. When Mikayla Hinkley fell for 5 (9) at 2-31, again to Flintoff, Victoria Women sensed an opportunity to tighten their grip. However, what followed was a match-defining recovery led by Chloe Ainsworth and Chloe Piparo.
The pair stitched together a commanding partnership, rebuilding patiently before accelerating. Piparo contributed a composed 76 off 94 balls, rotating strike effectively before being run out with the score progressing strongly. Ainsworth, meanwhile, anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten 104 off 110 deliveries, a knock laced with timing and authority.
The middle overs saw further consolidation. Heather Graham added 15 (19) before falling to Molly Strano at 3-64, but momentum stayed with Western Australia. Contributions kept flowing as the innings progressed, and crucially, the finishing touch came from Alana King, who remained unbeaten on 43 from 45 balls. Her partnership with Ainsworth ensured Western Australia surged through the final overs, pushing the scoring rate above five an over. Victoria’s bowlers worked hard throughout.
Flintoff was the standout with 2 for 47 from 8 overs, while Milly Illingworth (2 for 38 from 8) made key breakthroughs in the latter stages. Strano chipped in with 1 for 40, and though Zoe Samuel (0 for 50 from 10) and Ira Aery (0 for 45 from 7) went wicketless, they bowled important holding spells. Western Australia closed their 50 overs at 6-276 (run rate 5.52), a competitive total built on partnerships and calm finishing.
Victoria Women’s chase began cautiously. Openers Nicole Faltum and Ella Hayward shared a 64-run opening stand that saw curtains with the dismissal of Hayward for 28. Samara Dulvin then enjoyed a brief stay, adding 33 runs to the tally before Victoria lost two in quick succession. Dulvin fell at 134/2 and Faltum was run-out for 60 (92).
Then, the game tilted dramatically in the final stretch thanks to a breathtaking counterattack from Tess Flintoff. Walking in with the required rate climbing, Flintoff unleashed a stunning 72 not out off just 54 balls, striking at 133.33 and keeping Victoria alive deep into the chase. She was well supported by Olivia Henry (34 off 35) and Molly Strano (25 off 22), and the lower order pushed hard in the final overs. However, Western Australia’s bowling unit held firm under pressure.
Alana King claimed 2 for 52 from her 10 overs, removing key batters including Henry. Lilly Mills (1 for 50) and Bhavisha Devchand (2 for 27) delivered crucial breakthroughs, while Heather Graham (0 for 48 from 10) maintained control in the middle phase. Every over counted as the required rate climbed inch by inch.
Despite Flintoff’s late heroics and Victoria reaching 6-272 in 50 overs (run rate 5.44), Western Australia Women defended successfully, clinching victory by just four runs. The narrow margin reflected the intensity of this WNCL 2025–26 fixture, a contest defined by centuries, late-order acceleration, disciplined spells, and nerves under pressure.
In the end, Chloe Ainsworth’s unbeaten century and the composed finishing partnership with Alana King proved the difference in a memorable domestic one-day thriller between Victoria Women and Western Australia Women.
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