In an exciting Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2026-27 encounter at Cricket Central, Queensland Fire delivered a dominant performance to secure a resounding 111-run victory over New South Wales (NSW) Breakers. The match unfolded with high-intensity cricket, sharp individual contributions, and dynamic partnerships that swung the game decisively in Queensland’s favor.
Opting to set the pace, Queensland Fire opened their innings with Georgia Redmayne and Georgia Voll taking strike. The opening pair provided a steady launch platform, putting on a 38-run stand before Sam Bates made the initial breakthrough for NSW Women by stumping Georgia Voll for 20 (19 balls) off the bowling/fielding of Emma Manix-Geeves.
Following Voll’s departure, Jess Jonassen joined Redmayne at the crease, and together they orchestrated the defining partnership of the innings. Jonassen played a remarkably measured knock of 66 runs off 78 deliveries, complementing Redmayne’s anchor role beautifully as the duo stitched together a massive 125-run second-wicket partnership to propel the total to 163 before Jonassen fell to Sarah Coyte, caught by Phoebe Litchfield.
With a strong foundation laid, the aggressive Grace Harris strode out to maintain the momentum. Harris contributed a quickfire 33 off 37 balls in a 79-run third-wicket stand alongside Redmayne, taking the total to 242 before Erin Burns claimed Harris’s wicket, caught again by Litchfield. Redmayne, the hero of the innings, stood tall throughout, producing a majestic knock of 139 runs off 150 balls before being run out by Caoimhe Bray at 277/4.
Late cameos from Annie O’Neil (13* off 15) and Lauren Winfield-Hill (7* off 3) pushed Queensland Fire to an imposing total of 285/4 in their allotted 50 overs. Among NSW Breakers bowlers, Sam Bates was the most economical, picking up 1/40 in her 10 overs, including a maiden. Sarah Coyte (1/64 off 10) and Erin Burns (1/58 off 10) grabbed a wicket each, while Lauren Cheatle (0/38 off 7), Tara French (0/38 off 4), Ashleigh Gardner (0/8 off 2), and Ellyse Perry (0/39 off 7) provided support without entering the wicket column.
Chasing a target of 286, NSW Women got off to a disastrous start as Lily Bassingthwaighte tore through the top order early. She bowled Phoebe Litchfield for a duck on the very first ball she faced and trapped Emma Manix-Geeves lbw for just 5, reducing NSW to dire straits. Ellyse Perry attempted to stabilize the chase, scoring 19 off 33 balls, but was caught by Lauren Winfield-Hill off Ayaka Kato-Stafford.
Jess Jonassen then got in on the action, dismissing Erin Burns lbw for 6, before Catherine White trapped Ashleigh Gardner lbw for 15. Kato-Stafford struck again to catch Eva Ragg for a duck off Grace Harris’s catch, and White cleaned up Caoimhe Bray for 3, leaving NSW reeling as their core middle order crumbled.
Despite the collapse, NSW Women found some late resistance from Sarah Coyte and Lauren Cheatle. Coyte fought valiantly with a 37 off 59 balls before being caught by Redmayne off Lucy Bourke, while Cheatle showcased solid intent, top-scoring for NSW with a lively 42 off 40 balls. Cheatle was eventually caught by Kato-Stafford off White’s bowling. Down the order, Tara French scored 19 before being run out by Bourke, while Sam Bates remained unbeaten on 12* alongside 16 extra runs conceded by Queensland. NSW Women were ultimately bowled out for 174 in 38.5 overs.
Queensland’s bowling display was headlined by Catherine White (3/44 in 8 overs), Lily Bassingthwaighte (2/29 in 7 overs), and Ayaka Kato-Stafford (2/34 in 7.5 overs). Jess Jonassen maintained tight control with 1/20 off 8 overs (1 maiden), and Lucy Bourke picked up 1/10 in 2 overs, while Georgia Voll (0/9 off 2) and Grace Harris (0/21 off 4) chipped in quietly to seal Queensland Fire’s resounding victory.
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