In the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2026-27, South Australia Scorpions finished in fourth spot last season with 31 points from 7 wins, narrowly missing out on the top tier on net run rate (-0.220). Victoria, on the other hand, endured a tough campaign, ending at the bottom of the table without a win across 12 matches and finishing on -1 points (-1.267 NRR). As they meet at Junction Oval, both teams enter with plenty to prove for different reasons.
Squads:
Victoria Women’s Cricket Team
Indigo Noble, Meg Lanning, Mia Perrin, Olivia Henry, Samara Dulvin, Annabel Sutherland, Ella Hayward, Georgia Wareham, Hasrat Gill, Rhys McKenna, Tess Flintoff, Nicole Faltum, Sophie Reid, Georgia Prestwidge, Kim Garth, Milly Illingworth, Molly Strano, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Day, Sophie Molineux, Tayla Vlaeminck
South Australian Scorpions Women’s Cricket Team
Bridget Patterson, Courtney Webb, Ellie Johnston, Emma de Broughe, Hollie Armitage, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Eleanor Larosa, Ella Wilson, Emmerson Filsell, Madeline Penna, Tahlia McGrath, Elizabeth Worthley, Courtney Neale, Darcie Brown, Isabella Malgioglio, Jemma Barsby, Kate Peterson, Maggie Clark, Megan Schutt
Players to watch out:
Tess Flintoff
Tess Flintoff provided crucial middle-order stability for Victoria, scoring 347 runs across her 10 innings. Averaging a healthy 43.37 with an 83.01 strike rate, she regularly shifted gears to keep the scoreboard moving. Her season feature was a brilliant maiden century (101), proving her capability to anchor a run chase or build a massive total under pressure.
Courtney Webb
Courtney Webb enjoyed a productive season with the bat for South Australia, collecting 465 runs in 11 innings. Striking at an aggressive 91.53, she was a constant threat, regularly turning good starts into match-winning contributions. She brought up 5 half-centuries alongside a fine century (123*), anchoring the Scorpions’ middle order with an average of 46.50.
Ella Hayward
Ella Hayward was a vital spin-bowling option for Victoria, picking up 15 wickets across 12 matches throughout the season. She bowled over 84 overs with great discipline, maintaining a respectable economy rate of 5.00 while maintaining an average of 28.13. Her best spell of 3/51 illustrated her knack for taking key middle-order wickets when her side needed a breakthrough.
Amanda-Jade Wellington
Amanda-Jade Wellington continued to be a potent weapon for South Australia, taking 20 wickets in 12 matches with her leg-spin. She kept tight control with a clean economy rate of 4.62 over 113.5 overs, consistently putting pressure on opposition batters. Her season highlight was a superb five-wicket haul (5/42), reinforcing her reputation as a genuine match-winner in 50-over cricket.
Pitch:
Junction Oval, the drop-in pitch is consistently flat and hard, providing even bounce and minimal lateral movement, which allows batters to play on the front foot with complete trust. While spin can occasionally come into play later in multi-day games due to surface wear, the venue generally demands disciplined line-and-length bowling from pacers due to its high-scoring nature.
Weather:
Expect mostly cloudy conditions with temperatures reaching a maximum of 23°C and dipping to 11°C overnight, along with breezy northerly winds around 17 mph and a low 10% chance of rain.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Indigo Noble, Meg Lanning, Mia Perrin, Olivia Henry, Samara Dulvin, Annabel Sutherland, Bridget Patterson, Courtney Webb, Ellie Johnston, Emma de Broughe, Hollie Armitage
Match Details:
Date – September 29, 2026
Time – 9:00 AM IST
Venue – Junction Oval, Melbourne
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on cricket.com.au.
