The Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2026-27 clash at the iconic WACA Ground delivered a thrilling, high-scoring contest between Western Australia Women and Tasmania Tigers Women, packed with dramatic turnarounds, middle-order resilience, and high-octane bowling performances.
The match opened with an absolute firestorm from Western Australia’s opening attack. Tasmanian Tigers Women suffered a nightmarish start, tumbling to 0 for 3 within the first two overs. Chloe Ainsworth struck on the second ball of the match, removing Lizelle Lee for a duck (2b) caught by Bhavi Devchand. Ebony Hoskin then turned the game on its head in the very next over, dismissing Kate Pelle for 0 (3b) caught behind by Ines McKeon, before removing Ella Hayward for a golden duck (1b) caught by Ruby Strange.
Facing early catastrophe at 0/3, Nicola Carey and Naomi Stalenberg launched a remarkable recovery mission for Tasmania. The pair mounted a crucial 156-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Carey led the fightback with a brilliant 87 off 97 balls, while Stalenberg anchored the move with a gritty 55 off 80 deliveries. The blossoming stand was finally broken at 156/4 when Ruby Strange bowled Stalenberg in the 31st over. Strange struck again four balls later, bowling Carey for 87 to reduce Tasmania to 157/5 and bring WA back into the contest.
However, Tasmania’s middle and lower order ensured the momentum wasn’t lost. Courtney Sippel and Tabatha Saville staged another formidable 103-run stand for the sixth wicket. Saville counter-attacked with a brisk 56 off 47 balls before falling lbw to Ruby Strange in the 47th over (260/6). Strange ended as WA’s top wicket-taker with figures of 3 for 62 in 9 overs. Sippel remained unbeaten on a fine 54 off 61 balls, receiving late assistance from Ruth Johnston (9 off 7b) and Lauren Smith, who smashed a blistering 13* off just 4 balls.
Johnston fell to Alana King (1/68) late in the 50th over. Along with 25 extras, Tasmania posted a daunting first-innings score of 299/7 in their 50 overs. WA’s remaining bowling figures saw Ebony Hoskin take 2/21 off 7 overs, Chloe Ainsworth pick 1/40, while Amy Edgar (0/50 in 10) and Heather Graham (0/53 in 10) remained wicketless despite keeping tight controls.
In response, Western Australia’s run chase stumbled early against Courtney Sippel’s sharp opening spell. Sippel knocked back Ines McKeon for 2 off 4 balls and shortly after had Beth Mooney caught by Lizelle Lee for 16 off 18 balls. Sara Kennedy added further pressure by removing Chloe Piparo for 16 (30b), leaving WA struggling early in their pursuit.
Mikayla Hinkley and Heather Graham then stabilized the innings, constructing a patient recovery effort. Hinkley ground out a resilient half-century, scoring 60 off 84 balls, while Graham provided solid support with 26 off 40 balls. The partnership was broken when Nicola Carey had Graham caught behind, and Kennedy later dismissed Hinkley to leave Western Australia with a mountain to climb.
Bhavi Devchand fought back with 33 off 39 balls before being run out by Ella Hayward. Chloe Ainsworth and Alana King then mounted a fiery late counter-charge. Ainsworth smashed an unbeaten 58 off 48 balls, while King struck a lively 37 off 35 balls. Courtney Sippel ended King’s stay, finishing as Tasmania’s star bowler with 3 for 47 in 10 overs.
Kennedy picked up 2 for 37 in 7 overs, while Carey added 1 for 52. Lauren Smith (0/24 in 5.1), Ella Hayward (0/47 in 7), Maisy Gibson (0/55 in 10), and Ruth Johnston (0/6 in 0.5) provided control in the middle overs. Amy Edgar finished on 2* alongside Ainsworth, but Western Australia ultimately ran out of overs, falling short at 273/7 as Tasmanian Tigers Women sealed a thrilling 26-run victory.
