In a tightly contested clash in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025-26, Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Meteors Women held their nerve to defeat Western Australia by 13 runs in a gripping encounter at the WACA Ground on March 15. The contest ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon, with key partnerships, disciplined bowling spells, and a composed captain’s knock from Carly Leeson ultimately proving decisive.
ACT Women’s innings began cautiously after they elected to bat first. Opener Olivia Porter and skipper Carly Leeson looked to settle in early, but Western Australia struck the first blow when Porter was caught by Chloe Ainsworth off Ebony Hoskin for 12, leaving ACT at 19/1 in 5.3 overs. The early breakthrough gave WA momentum, but Leeson steadied the innings alongside Paris Bowdler. The pair added 16 runs before Bowdler fell for 11, caught by Mikayla Hinkley off Hoskin at 35/2 in 9.1 overs.
Leeson then found support from Georgia Elwiss as the duo built the most productive stand of the innings. Their 39-run partnership lifted ACT past the early wobble before Elwiss was dismissed for a fluent 25 off 25 balls, caught by Ainsworth off Shay Manolini with the score at 74/3 in the 15th over. Captain Leeson continued to anchor the innings, but the middle order struggled to accelerate as wickets fell at regular intervals. Grace Lyons managed 9 before falling to Lilly Mills, while Leeson’s fighting knock of 41 off 52 balls ended when she was caught by Heather Graham off Ainsworth at 108/4.
The innings then relied on a gritty partnership between Rachel Carroll and Zoe Cooke. Carroll scored 16 while Cooke anchored the lower middle order with 29 from 67 deliveries as the pair guided ACT beyond 140. Later, Shivani Mehta added valuable runs with a patient 30 off 48 balls before being run out near the end. Contributions from Anesu Mushangwe (11*), Stella Wilde (3), and extras ensured ACT were bowled out for 205 in 49.5 overs.
Western Australia’s bowling effort was disciplined. Shay Manolini was the pick of the bowlers with 3/51 from 9.5 overs, while Ebony Hoskin claimed 2/27. Chloe Ainsworth (1/32), Heather Graham (1/44), Lilly Mills (1/39), and Zoe Britcliffe (1/5) all chipped in with important wickets to keep the total within reach.
Chasing 206, Western Australia began aggressively through wicketkeeper-batter Maddy Darke, who struck 42 from just 32 balls with six boundaries. However, ACT struck early when Chloe Piparo was run out for 5, leaving WA at 13/1. Darke and Heather Graham counterattacked, adding 51 runs before Graham fell for a brisk 25 off 20 balls. The momentum briefly swung toward WA, but ACT’s bowlers clawed back.
Mikayla Hinkley was dismissed for a duck soon after, and Mathilda Carmichael managed only 2 as the chase faltered at 72/4 in the 10th over. A steady recovery followed when Bhavi Devchand scored 26 and Chloe Ainsworth contributed 33, building a 44-run partnership that revived the chase. However, ACT’s spin attack turned the tide again.
Zoe Cooke delivered a decisive spell, finishing with 3/29 from eight overs, while Anesu Mushangwe matched that impact with 3/45 in her ten-over spell. Georgia Elwiss supported well with 2/26, and Shivani Mehta chipped in with 1/8 in 2.3 overs. Despite Lilly Mills’ resilient unbeaten 33 off 52 balls and Shay Manolini’s 13, Western Australia were eventually bowled out for 192 in 35.3 overs, falling just 13 runs short.
Leeson’s all-round leadership stood out throughout the contest. Her composed 41 and three catches in the field earned her the Player of the Match award and highlighted her influence in a hard-fought WNCL victory.
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