In the final of the 28th Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), Tasmania Tigers and Queensland Fire are set to face off at Blundstone Arena, Hobart. The game is scheduled for 8:35 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 24th of February 2024, and it is to be watched, if the Tigers complete the threepeat or do the Fire claim their 2nd championship.
Squads:
Tasmania Tigers – Elyse Villani (C), Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Beth Lane, Lizelle Lee, Emma Manix-geeves (WK), Sasha Moloney, Tabatha Saville, Clare Scott, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano
Queensland Fire – Georgia Redmayne (C, WK), Bonnie Berry, Zoe Cooke, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nic Hancock, Mikayla Hinkley, Kira Holmes, Rvuth Johnston, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll, Lauren Winfield-Hill
Players to watch out:
Nicola Carey
The 30-year-old all-rounder from 12 WNCL games this season, averaging 58.5 with the bat, has racked up 585 runs and maintaining an economy rate of 4.25, has struck 13 wickets. Nicola in her previous couple of outings has registered scores of 75* and 92, while also recording figures of 1/41 and 3/47. She’s in form with the bat, has peaked in time with the ball, and will be counted on for the goods.
Molly Strano
The 31-year-old off-spinner this WNCL, from 8 bowling innings, has scalped 17 wickets, including the best of 5/30, at an economy rate of 4.26 and has chipped in with the bat, scoring 90 runs from 5 innings. Out due to an injury, Molly’s last appearance had come earlier this month, but she is back for the final, and on an even wicket with a spin on purchase, it’ll be hoped she leads the tally.
Georgia Redmayne
The 30-year-old keeper-batter, with an average of 42.3, has amassed 423 runs from 10 WNCL outings and registered the highest of 112. Georgia is one of the most reliable batters in the unit and has matured in her role over the previous few editions. She hasn’t batted a lot in the lead-up to this game, but it’ll be expected of the seasoned campaigner to capitalize on her form.
Courtney Sippel
The 22-year-old pacer, averaging 14.82 and maintaining an economy rate of 5.23, has picked up 17 wickets from 9 WNCL outings this summer. Courtney was a standout last season and has further impressed this time around. In her previous couple of outings, she finished with figures of 1/29 and 1/24 and will be banked upon to carry forward this momentum into the must-win.
Pitch:
The center wicket at Blundstone Arena favors batters, reflected in an average score in the 230s. While conditions are conducive for batting, the wicket also offers assistance to bowlers, pacers in particular.
Weather:
It’ll be a bright sunny day at Blundstone Arena with the temperature expected to hover around 20°C, with moderate winds and humidity of 51%. With no rain on the radar, we are in for a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Georgia Redmayne, Lizelle Lee, Georgia Voll, Elyse Villani, Charli Knott, Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Lauren Smith, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Courtney Sippel, Molly Strano
Match details:
Date – February 24, 2024
Time – 8:35 AM IST
Venue – Blundstone Arena, Hobart
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.