In the 35th match of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26 season, New South Wales (NSW) Breakers produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat Tasmania Tigers by 37 runs at Cricket Central. After recovering from early trouble to post 246 for 8, NSW Breakers’ bowlers applied sustained pressure to dismiss Tasmania Tigers for 209 in 48 overs, sealing a hard-earned victory.
Asked to bat first, NSW Breakers endured a rocky start. Tasmania Tigers’ new-ball attack struck twice inside the opening exchanges, removing Tahlia Wilson for 12 off 19 and Katie Mack for 8 off 18, leaving the hosts 20 for 2. The pressure intensified when Anika Learoyd fell and at that stage the innings required consolidation rather than aggression.
Georgia Adams attempted to steady the innings with 22 off 36 balls, but it was the partnership between Lucy Finn and Sarah Coyte that transformed the trajectory of the match. Finn compiled a well-constructed 64 from 82 deliveries, striking five fours and a six, and crucially rotating the strike through the middle overs. She absorbed pressure during a period when Tasmania Tigers’ bowlers maintained disciplined lines and varied their pace effectively.
Coyte’s innings proved decisive. Walking in with NSW Breakers in a vulnerable position, she paced her knock superbly, finishing unbeaten on 82 from 87 balls. Her innings featured six boundaries and a towering six, but more importantly, she managed the tempo of the innings. As wickets fell around her, Coyte farmed the strike intelligently in the final overs, guiding the lower order and ensuring NSW Breakers accelerated at the death. The Breakers added valuable late runs to close on 246 for 8 from their 50 overs — a total that looked competitive on a surface offering something for both batters and bowlers.
Tasmania Tigers’ bowling effort had bright patches. Callie Wilson was outstanding, claiming 3 for 35 and removing key top-order batters to put NSW Breakers under early strain. Kathryn Bryce chipped in with 2 for 56, using subtle variations and disciplined lengths to break partnerships. However, the inability to dislodge Coyte in the closing stages allowed NSW Breakers to post a score that ultimately proved out of reach.
Chasing 247, Tasmania Tigers began with purpose. Rachel Trenaman anchored the innings with a fluent 56 off 69 balls, striking eight fours and looking assured at the crease. Lizelle Lee contributed 22 from 32 deliveries, helping establish a steady platform. For a period, the chase appeared balanced, with Tasmania Tigers keeping the required rate under control.
The turning point came in the middle overs when NSW’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Lauren Cheatle led the charge with 2 for 33 in nine overs, exploiting movement and bounce to remove key batters. Lucy Finn complemented her earlier batting heroics with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 23 in seven overs and breaking a crucial partnership just as Tasmania Tigers threatened to build momentum.
Despite losing wickets, Tasmania Tigers continued to fight. Maisy Gibson launched a spirited counterattack, scoring 45 from 38 balls and briefly reviving hopes of a late surge. Her aggressive strokeplay reduced the equation, but the mounting pressure and lack of sustained support from the lower order proved costly.
Sarah Coyte capped an outstanding all-round display by claiming 2 for 37, while disciplined fielding and tight death bowling ensured Tasmania Tigers were bowled out for 209 in the 48th over, 37 runs short of the target.
In the end, the match was defined by NSW’s resilience. Recovering from early setbacks with the bat, capitalising through a pivotal middle-order partnership, and executing their bowling plans with precision, they controlled the contest’s key moments. Tasmania Tigers showed flashes of quality, particularly through Trenaman and Gibson, but NSW’s balance and composure ultimately made the difference in a competitive encounter.
Loves all things female cricket