In the ongoing Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26, Tasmanian Tigers find themselves in 5th place with 15 points from 8 matches (3 wins, 5 losses). They are coming off a tough double-header against Western Australia, where despite a magnificent, unbeaten 139 from Rachel Trenaman in their last outing, they couldn’t defend a total of 273. On the other side, the Australian Capitals Territory (ACT) Meteors sit just below them in 6th with 9 points. The Meteors have had a bit of a rough run lately, suffering back-to-back 8-wicket defeats at the hands of a dominant New South Wales (NSW) Breakers outfit. For both teams, this match is about more than just points; it’s about regaining lost momentum before the window for a final berth slam shut.
Squads:
Tasmania Tigers Women’s Cricket Team
Elyse Villani, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Trenaman, Ruth Johnston, Tabatha Saville, Ava Curtis, Kathryn Bryce, Nicola Carey, Emma Manix-Geeves, Lizelle Lee, Amy Smith, Callie Wilson, Courtney Sippel, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Maisy Gibson, Sara Kennedy
Australian Capital Territory Women’s Cricket Team
Annie Wikman, Olivia Porter, Rachel Carroll, Shivani Mehta, Carly Leeson, Georgia Elwiss, Grace Dignam, Stella Wilde, Zoe Cooke, Grace Lyons, Paris Bowdler, Amy Hunter, Anesu Mushangwe, Angelina Genford, Gabrielle Sutcliffe, Holly Ferling
Players to watch out:
Rachel Trenaman
Rachel has been in vintage form for the Tasmanian Tigers this season, proving why she’s considered one of the most reliable anchors in the game. Her standout moment came in the high stakes clash against Western Australia, where she carried her bat through the entire 50 overs for a magnificent, unbeaten 139. With 483 runs already this tournament and averaging 84.29, she’s currently sitting near the top of the league’s run-scoring charts.
Annie Wikman
Representing the ACT Meteors, Annie has truly come into her own this year as a genuine match-winner with the bat. She produced arguably the innings of the tournament so far against Victoria, smashing a sensational 142* off 136 balls to power her side to a 48-run victory. Currently leading the run-scoring for the Meteors with 312 runs across six matches, she has shown incredible composure when the top order has faltered.
Courtney Sippel
Courtney’s move to Tasmania has paid dividends, as she has quickly established herself as the leader of their pace attack. She has been remarkably consistent, picking up 11 wickets in 8 matches with an impressive economy that keeps the pressure high on the opposition. Her knack for taking early breakthroughs while maintaining a bowling strike rate of 28.72 has been a key reason for Tasmania’s competitive standing this season.
Zoe Cooke
Zoe continues to be the primary strike weapon for the ACT Meteors, consistently finding ways to break partnerships with her medium-fast deliveries. She has already claimed 8 wickets this season, at an economy rate of 5.34, with her best figures of 3/34 serving as a testament to her accuracy and discipline. She also showed her grit as a lower-order batter with a fighting 60* against Queensland Fire, nearly pulling off an improbable chase for her side.
Pitch:
Bellerive Oval is famous for its true bounce and reliable pace, though the seaside location often introduces some early morning swing for the seamers. Once the sun gets to work, it typically transforms into a batter’s paradise with a short square boundary that rewards aggressive stroke play.
Weather:
The weather is looking prime for cricket, with clear skies and a high of 24°C expected throughout the afternoon. A light breeze off the Derwent River should keep things comfortable, promising a complete game.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Annie Wikman, Georgia Elwiss, Grace Dignam, Zoe Cooke, Holly Ferling, Elyse Villani, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Trenaman, Ruth Johnston, Courtney Sippel, Maisy Gibson
Match Details:
Date – February 4, 2026
Time – 8:30 AM IST
Venue – Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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