The 29th edition of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), Australia’s premier domestic competition, is set for an electrifying conclusion as Queensland Fire take on New South Wales Breakers in the grand finale at Allan Border Field, Brisbane. The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for March 2 at 4:30 AM IST, with both teams vying for championship glory.
Having secured eight wins from 12 matches, both Fire and Breakers enter the final in top form. For Queensland, this is a shot at redemption after last season’s heartbreak against Tasmania Tigers. Meanwhile, New South Wales—the most successful team in WNCL history with 20 titles—returns to the title fight for the first time since 2019-20, eager to reclaim their dominance.
Squads:
Queensland Fire
Georgia Redmayne (C), Charli Knott (VC), Lily Bassingthwaighte, Lucinda Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Lilli Hamilton, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Grace Parsons, Courtney Sippel, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla Wrigley
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
Players to watch out:
Georgia Redmayne
The Queensland skipper has been in stellar form, amassing 449 runs in 12 innings, including an unbeaten 125. A consistent performer in the WBBL, she has scored 2,664 runs in 125 matches with the highest score of 98*.
Charli Knott
A true all-rounder, Knott has been a standout performer this season with 542 runs in 12 matches, including a century. Additionally, she has taken 12 wickets with the best of 3/22. Her experience in the WBBL, where she has played 59 matches for Brisbane Heat, adds further strength to Queensland’s squad.
Tahlia Wilson
The tournament’s leading run-scorer, Wilson has amassed 667 runs at an impressive average of 60.63, with the top score of 142. In the WBBL, she has represented Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers, accumulating 868 runs across 75 matches.
Georgia Adams
The English all-rounder has contributed significantly, scoring 309 runs with the highest score of 78 while also taking 17 wickets with the best of 3/14. A key player in The Hundred, Adams has 444 runs and 30 wickets to her name across stints with Southern Brave and Oval Invincibles.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at Allan Border Field is known for its batting-friendly nature, offering good bounce and carry. Pacers might find assistance as the game progresses. With an average first-innings score of 224, teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first.
Weather:
Brisbane is likely to experience rain showers, with temperatures hovering around 29°C. Winds at 24 kph and humidity levels of 75% could pose additional challenges. With rain in the forecast, the possibility of interruptions remains high.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Tahlia Wilson, Georgia Redmayne, Anika Learoyd, Charli Knott, Georgia Adams, Sianna Ginger, Hannah Darlington, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Sam Bates, Nicola Hancock, Sarah Coyte
Match details:
Date – March 2, 2025
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – Allan Border Field, Brisbane
Live Streaming – Available on cricket.com.au and Kayo Sports
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