In a thrilling Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 encounter at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, on October 8, 2025, Tasmania Tigers delivered a stunning performance, dominating Victoria Women by a whopping 144 runs.
From the very start, Tasmania took control of the game, posting one of the highest totals in the competition’s history and putting immense pressure on the Victorian batting lineup. After being sent in to bat, Tasmania wasted no time going after runs, eventually setting a formidable target of 383 for 2 in their 50 overs.
The highlight of their innings was Lizelle Lee’s spectacular 187 off just 141 balls, studded with 24 fours and 7 sixes, showcasing a remarkable blend of power and timing. Nicola Carey also played a crucial role, scoring a swift 73 runs from 44 balls, while Rachel Trenaman contributed a solid 95* off 114 balls to keep the scoring momentum alive. Even the extras (23 runs) highlighted the struggle the Victorian bowlers faced that day.
Victoria’s bowlers found it tough to maintain consistency, with only Sophie Day managing to pick up more than one wicket, finishing her spell with 2 for 66 in 8 overs. Georgia Prestwidge and Ella Hayward were standouts in the high-scoring innings with identical returns of 0/57 (9).
When it was Victoria’s turn to bat, the chase began poorly and quickly spiralled into disarray, ending at 239 all out in just 42.1 overs. Nicole Faltum stood out as a beacon of resilience, crafting a gritty 102 from 123 balls—though she found little support. Ella Hayward added a useful 33 runs, and Meg Lanning started brightly with 26 runs, but key wickets fell rapidly thereafter, leading to a collapse.
Victoria’s innings saw multiple quick departures, with Mia Perrin out for just one run and several others like Tess Flintoff, Sasha Moloney, Georgia Prestwidge, and Hasrat Gill failing to contribute significantly. For Tasmania, Lauren Smith emerged as a standout bowler with figures of 3 for 39 in 7 overs, making crucial breakthroughs at important moments. Nicola Carey also chipped in with 2 for 42, while Kathryn Bryce and Hayley Silver-Holmes each took a wicket, collectively applying pressure throughout.
The day truly belonged to Lizelle Lee, who was rightfully named Player of the Match for her breathtaking innings, which not only set the tone but also shifted the momentum squarely in Tasmania’s favour. This victory underscored Tasmania’s stature as a powerhouse in the WNCL, demonstrating its strength in both batting and bowling.
For Victoria, the match revealed significant vulnerabilities, particularly when early wickets fell and their inability to regain control. The difference between the two teams was evident in terms of execution and temperament.
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