The 29th edition of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), Australia’s premier domestic competition, is nearing its conclusion, with teams vying for crucial points. In match 40, New South Wales Breakers will take on the Australian Capital Territory Meteors at Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park. This much-anticipated clash is scheduled to begin at 4:30 AM IST on February 21, promising an exciting battle.
New South Wales Breakers have been in strong form, securing seven wins from their 11 matches, including a victory over the Meteors in their last encounter. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory Meteors have struggled, managing just three wins from their 11 outings.
Squads:
New South Wales Breakers
Georgia Adams (C), Sam Bates, Caoimhe Bray, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle (VC), Sarah Coyte, Hannah Darlington, Elsa Hunter, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Frankie Nicklin, Tahlia Wilson
Australian Capital Territory Meteors
Katie Mack (C), Rachel Carroll, Paris Bowdler, Zoe Cooke, Grace Dignam, Holly Ferling, Shivani Mehta, Amy Hunter, Carly Leeson, Grace Lyons, Anesu Mushangwe, Olivia Porter, Gabrielle Sutcliffe, Annie Wikman
Players to watch out:
Maitlan Brown
The 26-year-old pacer has been a consistent performer in the WBBL, representing Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers over nine seasons. She has claimed 72 wickets, with the best of 3/16. In the ongoing WNCL, Brown has taken eight wickets in as many matches, with the best performance of 2/7.
Hannah Darlington
A promising 23-year-old right-arm pacer, Darlington has made a name for herself in both domestic and international cricket. She has picked up 92 wickets in 73 WBBL matches. In the ongoing WNCL season, she has taken four wickets in five innings, with her best figures being 1/11.
Katie Mack
The experienced 31-year-old batter has featured in 140 WBBL matches, amassing 2,664 runs with the top score of 89*. She has been in fine form this WNCL season, scoring 385 runs in 11 matches, with the high score of 85.
Zoe Cooke
A 29-year-old all-rounder, Cooke has limited WBBL experience, having played just one match where she picked up a wicket for 11 runs. However, she has been impactful in the current WNCL season, scoring 200 runs in 10 innings while also taking 10 wickets in 11 matches. She will be keen to make a mark in this contest.
Pitch:
The surface at Cricket Central is a batting-friendly track, offering good bounce and carry. As the match progresses, spinners might find some assistance. The average first-innings score at this venue is 241, making batting first a preferred option for teams winning the toss.
Weather:
Sydney is expected to experience rain showers, with temperatures around 24°C. Moderate winds and 71% humidity could add an extra challenge for the players. With rain in the forecast, the possibility of a full game remains uncertain.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Tahlia Wilson, Katie Mack, Anika Learoyd, Elsa Hunter, Carly Leeson, Georgia Adams, Grace Dignam, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Maitlan Brown, Anesu Mushangwe, Sam Bates
Match details:
Date – February 21, 2025
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
Live Streaming – Available on cricket.com.au and Kayo Sports
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