The 33rd match of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 in Sydney unfolded as a gripping contest between New South Wales Breakers Women and Tasmania Tigers Women, packed with momentum swings, individual brilliance, and decisive bowling spells. In what turned out to be a high-scoring WNCL encounter, it was the Breakers who held their nerve to clinch a 44-run victory, defending a competitive total of 274 as Tasmania Tigers were bowled out for 230 in 45.4 overs.
Opting to bat first, NSW Breakers innings had a steady yet watchful start. Tahlia Wilson and Alyssa Healy added 48 runs for the opening wicket before Healy fell for 25 off 32 balls (4 fours) at 1-48 in 8.2 overs, caught by Emma Manix-Geeves off Courtney Grace Sippel. Wilson soon followed at 2-62 in 11.3 overs, scoring 23 off 28 deliveries, as Tasmania tightened the screws through disciplined seam bowling.
The innings found stability when Katie Mack walked in. The right-hander crafted a sublime 99 off 103 balls, striking 8 boundaries in a knock that anchored the NSW Breakers’ innings. Partnering with Anika Learoyd, Mack stitched together a crucial 133-run stand for the third wicket. Learoyd’s patient 46 off 67 balls ensured the Breakers rebuilt steadily after early setbacks. At 3-195 in 34.3 overs, Learoyd departed, but Mack continued to dictate the tempo.
Claire Moore (17 off 28) and Maitlan Brown (14 off 15) provided brief support, pushing the total beyond 240. Mack fell agonizingly short of a century at 5-244 in 44.4 overs, caught off Kathryn Bryce. Late cameos from Lucy Finn (8), Sarah Coyte (3), Lauren Cheatle (5), and Samantha Bates (5*), along with 29 extras, propelled NSW Breakers to 274 in their allotted 50 overs. Tasmania Tigers bowling effort was led by Courtney Grace Sippel (3/45), Kathryn Bryce (2/38), Maisy Gibson (1/46), Lauren Smith (1/44), Mia Barwick (1/28), while Ruth Johnston (0/18 in 5 overs) was notably economical.
Chasing 275, Tasmania Tigers suffered early jolts. Rachel Trenaman fell at 1-7 in 0.6 overs to Lauren Cheatle, and Lizelle Lee departed soon after at 2-7 in 1.2 overs, giving Maitlan Brown her first wicket. Elyse Villani (4) also fell cheaply as Tasmania Tigers slipped to 3-17 in 4.3 overs. Ruth Johnston’s brief resistance ended at 4-22 in 5.5 overs, leaving the visitors in deep trouble.
Kathryn Bryce then mounted a counterattack, scoring 42 off 49 balls (6 fours, 1 six) in a fighting 85-run partnership with Emma Manix-Geeves. Manix-Geeves played one of the finest knocks of the match, compiling a magnificent 100 off 104 deliveries with 12 boundaries. The duo revived Tigers’ hopes, taking the score to 5-107 in 21.6 overs before Bryce was trapped lbw by Frankie Nicklin.
Even after Bryce’s dismissal, Manix-Geeves found support in Courtney Grace Sippel (28 off 43), adding 62 runs for the sixth wicket. However, Maitlan Brown turned the tide with a decisive spell, dismissing Sippel at 6-169 and later wrapping up the lower order. Brown finished with an impressive 4/30 in 7.4 overs. Samantha Bates chipped in with 2/52, Lauren Cheatle claimed 2/39, Sarah Coyte picked 1/44, and Nicklin added 1/36 to complete a disciplined bowling performance.
Tasmania Tigers’ chase faltered once Manix-Geeves fell at 8-224 in 44.2 overs, and the final two wickets fell quickly, sealing NSW Breakers victory by 44 runs in this thrilling Women’s National Cricket League clash.
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