The Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 final in Sydney delivered a dramatic contest filled with momentum swings, standout individual brilliance, and a rain-affected finish as Queensland Fire edged past New South Wales Breakers by seven runs via the DLS method. In a match where both teams showcased depth in batting and resilience under pressure, the contest unfolded as a classic domestic final defined by partnerships, timely breakthroughs, and calculated aggression.
Queensland Fire’s innings began cautiously after an early setback when Jess Jonassen departed for 6, leaving the side at 12/1 in just 2.5 overs. The early breakthrough by Lauren Cheatle gave New South Wales Breakers early control, and the pressure intensified when Charli Knott fell cheaply for 0 at 21/2 (5.1 overs), caught by Tahlia Wilson off Maitlan Brown. At that stage, NSW appeared firmly on top, exploiting disciplined new-ball bowling and tight field placements.
However, captain Georgia Redmayne steadied the innings with remarkable composure. Anchoring the batting effort, she built the foundation alongside Grace Harris, and the pair transformed the momentum through a crucial partnership that defined the match. Harris counterattacked aggressively while Redmayne accumulated steadily, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Their partnership carried Queensland past the 200-run mark before Harris fell for a magnificent 111 off 94 balls at 213/3 in the 36.3rd over, dismissed by Georgia Adams. Her innings, featuring 11 fours and four sixes, shifted the pressure entirely onto NSW.
Redmayne continued to marshal the innings beautifully, compiling a captain’s knock of 105 from 138 deliveries before falling at 284/4 in the 45.1st over. Lauren Winfield-Hill then accelerated the scoring phase with a fluent 55 off 33 balls, ensuring Queensland maintained momentum during the death overs. Contributions from Annie O’Neil (16 off 10), Sianna Ginger (6), and Lucinda Bourke (10*), along with 20 extras, helped Queensland post an imposing 332/7 in 50 overs.
Among New South Wales Breakers bowlers, Lauren Cheatle was the standout performer with 3/46 from her 10 overs, consistently breaking partnerships. Sarah Coyte supported well with 2/65, while Maitlan Brown and Georgia Adams claimed a wicket each. Despite disciplined spells in phases, NSW Breakers struggled to contain Queensland Fire’s middle-overs surge led by Harris and Redmayne.
New South Wales Breakers began confidently. Openers Alyssa Healy and Tahlia Wilson laid a strong platform with a commanding 122-run opening partnership. Healy played an aggressive hand, scoring 64 off 63 balls with seven fours and two sixes before falling to Charli Knott at 122/1 in the 21.2nd over. The team set a revised DLS target of 220 in 32 overs after rain interruption. Wilson continued to anchor the chase, reaching a well-crafted 76 off 82 balls, but her run-out at 173/2 in the 27.1st over proved a turning point.
Katie Mack added impetus with a brisk 27 off 21 deliveries, yet Queensland’s bowlers tightened their grip during the closing overs. Jess Jonassen delivered a crucial spell, finishing with 2/39 in seven overs, applying pressure through clever variations. Sianna Ginger and Charli Knott chipped in with one wicket each, while disciplined bowling from Grace Harris and Grace Parsons restricted boundaries at critical moments.
The middle order faltered under mounting scoreboard pressure as Anika Learoyd (16) and Georgia Adams (16) fell in quick succession. A pair of late run-outs further derailed the chase, leaving NSW stranded at 212/6 in 32 overs, just seven runs short of the DLS-adjusted target.
Queensland Fire’s collective bowling effort stood out for its composure in crunch moments, successfully defending the revised total despite a strong start from NSW Breakers. The final ultimately highlighted the value of partnerships, with Queensland’s Harris-Redmayne stand proving decisive against NSW’s promising but unfinished chase. Queensland Fire completed a redemption arc, having lost the 2024-25 final to the NSW Breakers at home, only to travel to Sydney this time and claim the title against the same opponents.
Loves all things female cricket