The stage is set at Cricket Central in Sydney for a blockbuster finale as New South Wales (NSW) Breakers and Queensland Fire face off in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 Final. NSW Breakers has been the runaway train of the 2025–26 season, dropping only a single game out of twelve to finish comfortably at the top of the ladder with 49 points. Queensland Fire’s path was a bit more of a scrap; they had to navigate a mid-season slump and fend off a late surge from Western Australia, eventually securing their spot in the final with eight wins. While the Breakers have the momentum of a dominant league stage, the Fire have shown they can win the tight ones, making this a repeat of last year’s final that feels just as unpredictable.
Squads:
New South Wales Breakers Women’s Cricket Team
Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Elsa Hunter, Frankie Nicklin, Katie Mack, Phoebe Litchfield, Tara French, Ash Gardner, Caoimhe Bray, Ellyse Perry, Erin Burns, Alyssa Healy, Kate Pelle, Tahlia Wilson, Hannah Darlington, Jade Allen, Lauren Cheatle, Maitlan Brown, Samantha Bates, Sarah Coyte, Sienne Eve
Queensland Fire Women’s Cricket Team
Annie O’Neil, Laura Harris, Lucy Bourke, Charli Knott, Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger, Georgia Redmayne, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla Wrigley, Bonnie Berry, Jess Jonassen, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Nicola Hancock
Players to watch out:
Katie Mack
Returning to her home state has clearly agreed with Katie Mack, who was recently named the WNCL Player of the Season after a truly dominant run for the NSW Breakers. She finished the regular season with 632 runs at an average of 63.20, showing incredible consistency despite having to move around the batting order to accommodate returning international stars. While a century narrowly eluded her—finishing in the 90s on three separate occasions—her six half-centuries were the backbone of the Breakers’ clinical march to the top of the ladder.
Georgia Redmayne
The Queensland Fire skipper has once again proven she is one of the most reliable anchors in domestic cricket, putting together a stellar campaign with 453 runs at an average of 50.33. Redmayne’s ability to big-up scores when it matters was on full display as she notched three centuries against Australian Capital Territory Meteors, Tasmania Tigers, and NSW Breakers. Heading into the final, she remains a dual threat, combining her prolific run-scoring with a sharp performance behind the stumps where she claimed 10 catches and 6 stumpings.
Lauren Cheatle
Stepping into the captaincy for the NSW Breakers this season, Lauren Cheatle has led from the front with a career-best bowling display that saw her finish as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. The left-arm quick was a constant menace for opening batters, bagging 26 wickets at a remarkable strike rate of 24.15 and an economy that kept the pressure high throughout the middle overs. Her standout performance of 4/32 was a highlight in a season where she proved she is well and truly back to her peak physical form and tactical best.
Sianna Ginger
Emerging as a genuine match-winner for the Queensland Fire, young all-rounder Sianna Ginger has enjoyed a breakout season that solidified her reputation as one of the country’s brightest prospects. She lead the Fire’s bowling attack with 19 wickets, including a vital 4/35 that showcased her knack for breaking partnerships just when they looked dangerous. Beyond her contributions with the ball, her athleticism in the field and handy lower-order batting have made her an indispensable part of the Queensland side that secured a spot in the season decider.
Pitch:
Cricket Central is expected to serve up a surface that heavily favors the batters, continuing its reputation as a high-scoring venue this season. With several totals crossing the 300-run mark recently, stroke-makers can expect a true and consistent bounce that rewards positive intent, though the pace bowlers often find a bit of extra assistance and zip early in the first session before the pitch flattens out.
Weather:
The Sydney Olympic Park will see scattered thunderstorms during the day with a high of 24°C and a low of 18°C. Winds will be coming from the south at 6 mph with a 65% chance of rain during the daytime, potentially leading to some interruptions before conditions settle into a partly cloudy night.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Laura Harris, Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger, Georgia Redmayne, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Katie Mack, Erin Burns, Tahlia Wilson, Lauren Cheatle, Maitlan Brown, Sienne Eve
Match Details:
Date – March 21, 2026
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – Cricket Central, Sydney
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on cricket.com.au.
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