Match no. 38 of the ongoing 28th edition of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) will feature a contest between Victoria and Tasmania Tigers, their final league game. The game will be played at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on the 14th of February 2024, at 4:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Victoria – Nicole Faltum, Aanliya Cheeran, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Poppy Gardner, Ella Hayward, Olivia Henry, Milly Illingworth, Meg Lanning, Jasmine Nevins, Rhiann O’Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Sophie Reid, Tayla Vlaeminck
Tasmania Tigers – Nicola Carey, Julia Cavanough, Heather Graham, Beth Lane, Lizelle Lee, Emma Manix-Geeves, Sasha Moloney, Tabatha Saville, Clare Scott, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson
Players to watch out:
Sophie Reid
The 26-year-old keeper-batter from 10 WNCL outings this edition has amassed 427 runs, including the highest of 95*, at an average of 53.37. Sophie has registered scores of 63*, 67, and 38 from her previous 3 outings, and she’ll be banked upon to lead the scoring, capitalizing on this form.
Georgia Prestwidge
The 26-year-old pacer has scalped 10 wickets from as many WNCL appearances this summer and can also be handy with the bat. Georgia has consistently been amongst wickets, and in her most recent outing, she registered figures of 56* and 1/45. It’ll be hoped she steps up with another all-round effort.
Heather Graham
The 27-year-old all-rounder in the ongoing WNCL edition has accumulated 245 runs, while also bagging 8 wickets, from 8 outings. Heather has been in bright form lately, registering successive scores of 61, 56, and 105, while also returning figures of 0/51, 3/29, and 1/47. She’ll be counted on for the goods.
Hayley Silver-Holmes
The 20-year-old pacer from 9 WNCL outings has taken 12 wickets, with the best being 3/26, and from 5 innings has added 75 runs to the tally. Hayley’s previous 3 bowling figures read 2/51, 3/26, and 1/20, and she registered her best of 43* with the bat only recently. She’ll be backed to build on this recent success.
Pitch:
The wicket at Junction Oval, Melbourne, provides a certain degree of assistance to the batters. The average score at the venue is in the 240s and suggests that it’s got enough in it for bowlers as well, especially spinners.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal to be at the Junction Oval as the chances of rain are minimal, despite partly cloudy overhead. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 18°C with light winds and humidity of 52%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Nicole Faltum, Sophie Reid, Elyse Villani, Meg Lanning, Ella Hayward, Heather Graham, Nicola Carey, Lauren Smith, Georgia Prestwidge, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tess Flintoff
Match details:
Date – February 14, 2024
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – Junction Oval, Melbourne
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, and it will also be available for streaming on Kayo Sports.