A composed and match-defining innings from Chloe Piparo guided Western Australia Women to a commanding victory over ACT Women in the Women’s National Cricket League clash at the WACA Ground in Perth. In a game where the bowlers initially dictated the tempo, the hosts eventually showcased a calm and clinical chase to seal an eight-wicket win with 95 balls remaining, highlighting their dominance in this WNCL encounter.
ACT Meteors began their innings on a shaky note as the Western Australia bowlers struck early. The opening breakthrough came almost immediately when Olivia Porter was caught by Piparo off Chloe Ainsworth for 4, leaving ACT at 4/1 inside the first over. The pressure continued to build when Paris Bowdler departed for 12, caught by Ainsworth off Ebony Hoskin, after Carly Leeson had briefly counter attacked with a brisk 17. Within the powerplay, ACT Women found themselves in serious trouble at 37/4 after Georgia Elwiss was run out for just 2 following sharp fielding from Ainsworth.
Amid the early collapse, Annie Wikman emerged as the backbone of the innings. The middle-order batter steadied the ship with a determined 78 off 89 balls, striking nine boundaries and showing composure against a disciplined Western Australia attack. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end. Grace Lyons was dismissed for a duck, caught by Piparo off Heather Graham, while Zoe Cooke struggled for fluency before falling for 4 to Lilly Mills.
Rachel Carroll (6) and Shivani Mehta (25) attempted to rebuild with a brief partnership, but Western Australia’s bowlers maintained control of the middle overs. Mills was particularly effective, finishing with 3/42 from her 10 overs and repeatedly breaking developing stands. Zoe Britcliffe chipped in with 1/32, while Graham delivered an economical spell of 1/27 in her 10 overs. Ebony Hoskin also made key strikes with figures of 2/26, ensuring ACT never fully regained momentum.
Despite Wikman’s resistance, ACT Women were eventually bowled out for 174 in 41.1 overs. Anesu Mushangwe contributed a quick 10 before becoming Shay Manolini’s lone wicket, while Angelina Genford remained unbeaten on 10. The innings had moments of recovery but never fully escaped the grip of Western Australia’s disciplined bowling unit.
Chasing 175, Western Australia Women began confidently with Piparo and Maddy Darke laying a solid foundation. The pair added a crucial 123-run opening partnership, calmly navigating the ACT bowling attack. Piparo anchored the innings beautifully, scoring 82 from 105 balls with 11 boundaries, rotating strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. Darke provided steady support with a patient 43 off 69 balls before falling to Mushangwe, caught by Zoe Cooke.
Shortly after, Piparo’s impressive innings ended when she was trapped lbw by Shivani Mehta with the score at 151. However, by then the damage had been done. Mikayla Hinkley (16*) and Heather Graham (13*) ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding Western Australia to 175/2 in just 34.1 overs.
ACT’s bowlers struggled to apply sustained pressure during the chase. Mushangwe was the most economical and effective, finishing with 1/38 from her 10 overs, while Mehta claimed Piparo’s wicket with figures of 1/23. Zoe Cooke bowled a tidy spell of 0/38 in nine overs, and Georgia Elwiss conceded only nine runs in her three overs, but the target proved insufficient against a confident Western Australia batting lineup.
With both bat and leadership, Chloe Piparo’s composed knock proved decisive, earning her the Player of the Match award. The victory further strengthened Western Australia Women’s campaign in the WNCL, underlining their balance across batting, bowling, and fielding departments.
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