While the Australian Capital Territory Meteors lost both their first-leg 2024-25 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) fixtures, the Queensland Fire won and lost a couple. The two teams resume their campaign in match no. 16, locking horns at Phillip Oval, Canberra, on the 20th of December 2024, at 4:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Australian Capital Territory Meteors women’s cricket team
Katie Mack (C), Alisha Bates, Paris Bowdler, Zoe Cooke, Grace Dignam, Holly Ferling (VC), Angelina Genford, Amy Hunter, Carly Leeson (VC), Grace Lyons, Anesu Mushangwe, Olivia Porter, Gabrielle Sutcliffe, Annie Wikman
Queensland Fire women’s cricket team
Jess Jonassen (C), Lilly Bassingthwaighte, Lucy Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla Wrigley
Players to watch out:
Alisha Bates
The 22-year-old batting all-rounder in the 2023-24 WNCL accumulated 240 runs, with the highest score of 66, from 10 outings, and secured a couple of wickets at an economy rate of 5.71. Alisha had a quiet start to this WNCL season, departing for 21 and 4 in the first-leg fixtures, and it is hoped she will step up her efforts, leading the scoring while also adding to her tally of 1 wicket.
Holly Ferling
The 28-year-old pacer, from 11 WNCL outings last season, picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 5.48, while not scoring many with the bat. This season, in the first-leg fixtures, Holly returned figures of 2/59 and 1/49, while also scoring 25 runs in her most recent One Day outing. She is a seasoned pacer and can be trusted to deliver breakthroughs while also scoring handy runs.
Georgia Redmayne
The 31-year-old keeper-batter amassed 446 runs, at an average of 40.54, from 11 WNCL outings last summer and registered the highest score of 112. Georgia hasn’t looked anywhere near her best this summer, managing only 129 runs from 4 WNCL outings so far, and 228 runs from 11 T20s in a most recent campaign. Nonetheless, the veteran batter should be backed to find her footing.
Sianna Ginger
The 19-year-old all-rounder had a notable WNCL campaign last edition, adding 129 runs from 9 innings and 4 wickets from 8 outings. In the ongoing WNCL season, while Ginger has added 30 runs from 2 innings, she has taken 7 wickets from 4 outings, at an economy rate of 6.22. She will be relied upon to step up her efforts, chipping in with handy runs and leading the tally.
Pitch:
The Phillip Oval features a well-balanced center wicket that is favorable for both batters and bowlers, especially the pacers, to make an impact on the game. The average score in the 220s indicates favorable conditions for scoring runs as well.
Weather:
The conditions in Canberra are expected to be pleasant for cricket, with bright, clear skies overhead. The temperature will hover in the early 20s (°C), with light winds and 48% humidity.
Fantasy playing XI:
Georgia Redmayne, Katie Mack, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Jess Jonassen, Carly Leeson, Charli Knott, Sianna Ginger, Anesu Mushangwe, Nicola Hancock, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris
Match details:
Date – December 20, 2024
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – Phillip Oval, Canberra
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on cricket.com.au and will also be available on Kayo Sports.
