The Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2026-27 action at the W.A.C.A. delivered high drama as Tasmania Women clashed with Western Australia Women.
Tasmania’s innings opened with explosive intent led by opener Lizelle Lee, who struck a rapid 50 off 42 deliveries, studded with 10 boundaries. Her opening partner Kate Pelle fell early for 9 runs (19 balls), caught by Heather Graham off Ebony Hoskin with the scorecard reading 42/1 at 5.6 overs. What followed was a sensational middle-order collapse triggered by Western Australia’s bowler Ruby Strange. Strange, dismissed Lee bowled for 50 and immediately removed Ella Hayward for a golden duck (0 off 1 ball).
Nicola Carey offered brief resistance with 8 runs off 15 balls before handing a return catch to Strange, who then had Naomi Stalenberg stumped by Beth Mooney off Amy Edgar’s bowling for 1. Strange continued her rampage by removing Courtney Grace Sippel for 6 and trapping Ruth Johnston for a duck. Tasmania slumped dramatically to 93/7 in 16.6 overs, with Strange finishing her phenomenal spell with figures of 5 for 49 in 8 overs.
When a premature end seemed inevitable for Tasmania, lower-order batter Tabatha Saville stepped up to mount a heroic fightback. Saville anchored the tail with a brilliant 79 runs off 86 balls (10 fours). She found crucial support in a steadying partnership with Lauren Smith, who chipped in with a patient 27 off 61 balls before being trapped lbw by Alana King at 185/8. Tasmania captain Maisy Gibson provided late firepower with a lively 25 off 27 balls, falling to Bhavi Devchand, while Sara Kennedy remained unbeaten on 0 off 4 balls. Saville was eventually stumped off Edgar’s bowling for 79, wrapping up Tasmania’s innings at 232 all out in 45 overs.
Among the WA bowlers, Amy Edgar impressed with tight figures of 2/31 from her full 10 overs, while Ebony Hoskin (1/36), Alana King (1/32), and Bhavi Devchand (1/10) made essential contributions, alongside Chloe Ainsworth (0/32) and Heather Graham (0/36).
Chasing a target of 233, Western Australia encountered an early hurricane as Tasmania pacer Nicola Carey ripped through the top order. Carey struck in the very first over to bowl WA skipper Chloe Piparo for a second-ball duck at 2/1. Mikayla Hinkley managed just 2 runs off 6 balls before Carey trapped her lbw, and Courtney Grace Sippel joined the act by having Heather Graham caught by Johnston for 1 run. Reduced to a precarious 20/3 in 3.1 overs, Western Australia looked in deep trouble.
However, Australia star Beth Mooney turned the match completely on its head. Mooney counter-attacked with supreme grace and composure, building a game-changing fourth-wicket partnership with Bhavi Devchand. Devchand played an excellent supporting role, scoring 37 off 38 balls with 6 boundaries before being caught by Lee off Lauren Smith’s bowling at 116/4. Smith struck again immediately to bowl Chloe Ainsworth for 0 and later had Ines Mckeon caught behind for 4 runs off 12 balls, leaving WA at 128/6 in 19.1 overs.
Undeterred by the fallen wickets, Mooney produced a masterclass, reaching a match-winning unbeaten century of 117 off just 94 balls, laced with 15 fours and 2 sixes. She found a fiery partner in leg-spinner Alana King, who showcased her batting depth with an aggressive 55 not out off 58 balls (8 fours). Together, Mooney and King forged an unbroken 108-run partnership to power Western Australia Women to 236/6 in just 35.2 overs, securing a memorable 4-wicket victory with 88 balls to spare.
Among the Tasmanian bowlers, Lauren Smith was the star performer, taking 3/37 in 10 overs. Nicola Carey claimed 2/46 and Courtney Grace Sippel took 1/54, while Sara Kennedy (0/15), Ella Hayward (0/43), and Maisy Gibson (0/33) bowled without success against Mooney’s brilliance.
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