The Queensland Fire’s road to the 2025-26 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) Final has been a story of resilience and high-stakes drama. Finishing second with 8 wins and 36 points, the Fire had to navigate a mid-season slump and a tense final week to secure their spot. Unlike the smooth sailing of their opponents, Queensland’s campaign was a test of character. They started strong, stumbled against the Scorpions and Breakers, but found their best form exactly when it mattered most, clinching their final berth with back-to-back bonus-point wins against Victoria.
The early part of the season was defined by a sense of authority. Led by the tactical mind of Georgia Redmayne with an average of 50.33 and an unbeaten innings of 125, the Fire looked like the team to beat in the opening rounds. Their ability to extract wins from tight situations was evident in their narrow two-wicket victory over Western Australia at the WACA. However, the middle of the season brought challenges, including a string of losses that threatened to derail their ambitions. It was during this period that the leadership group was truly tested, and they responded by doubling down on their aggressive, Fire brand of cricket.
Georgia Redmayne has been the heartbeat of the batting lineup. With 453 runs and a brilliant century under her belt, her composure behind the stumps and at the crease has been vital. She hasn’t been alone, though. The English veteran Lauren Winfield-Hill provided the explosive starts needed to put opposition bowlers on the back foot, while the emergence of youngsters like Sianna Ginger (19 wickets in 12 innings) gave the middle order a much-needed spark. Ginger’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her one of the breakout stars of the competition.
The bowling department has seen Grace Parsons (17 wickets in 8 innings) evolve into a genuine match-winner. Her leg-spin has been a revelation, culminating in a destructive spell against Victoria that effectively booked Queensland’s ticket to the final. Alongside her, the experienced Jess Jonassen has provided the veteran calm, especially in high-pressure death overs. The Fire’s attack is built on variety—pace from Nicola Hancock and Bonnie Berry, complemented by the spin web of Parsons and Jonassen—making them a dangerous prospect on any surface.
Entering the final, the Fire carry the momentum of a team that has nothing to lose. They have already shown they can push the Breakers to the absolute limit, having lost by just one wicket in their most recent encounter. While they go in as the underdogs on paper, their recent must-win victories have hardened them for the pressure of a trophy match. For the Queensland Fire, the 2025-26 campaign hasn’t been about perfection; it’s been about finding a way to win when it counts, and they are now just one win away from the ultimate prize.
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