Victoria has drawn a line in the sand after a winless, −1-point Women’s National Cricket League 2025–26, pinpointing batting endurance, chance conversion and leadership continuity as they chase a first victory since February 2025 in their opening two home day-nighters against South Australia.
Last summer, Victoria finished bottom of the WNCL table with −1 point from 12 games, all defeats, after a slow over-rate penalty compounded a campaign in which they batted through their 50 overs only twice. Head coach Andy Christie described the post-season review as “challenging to dig up the wounds from the year, but in a really positive way, we were able to reflect really objectively on what happened and what were the areas we needed to improve on.”
Victoria enters the season with a reconfigured leadership group. Nicole Faltum has been appointed full-time captain, with Rhys McKenna continuing as deputy, while Sophie Molineux’s availability remains limited after her appointment as Australia skipper. Faltum emphasised moving forward without letting the win-loss column define the group: “We tried to just draw a line in the sand, basically. We trust where we’re at with the group and the talent that we have.”
With Faltum away on Australia A duty in India, McKenna will lead in the opening two matches at Junction Oval, Victoria’s first home day-night WNCL fixtures, on September 29 and October 1.
The −1-point ledger masked how competitive Victoria often were: a four-run loss to Western Australia, a two-wicket defeat to South Australia, and a match against NSW where the visitors recovered from 5–80 chasing 182 to win by three wickets. Building the belief to finish from winning positions was a key takeaway, and the preseason offered early reinforcement: two trial wins and a tie against NSW on the Sunshine Coast.
Christie cautioned against overreading practice results but said the group’s progress was evident. “Yes, it wasn’t resulting in a win, but looking at the group of players that we had from last year into this year, I think that progression and that experience will hold them in good stead for the season ahead.”
Victoria’s hopes for round one are boosted by the likely availability of four Australian stars, Molineux, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham and Kim Garth, whose presence elevates training standards even as Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Tayla Vlaeminck and Milly Illingworth are on an Australia A tour.
The squad also reflects significant turnover. Meg Lanning, who played only four of 12 matches last season, has turned down a state contract to focus on global franchise cricket, while former co-vice-captain Ella Hayward has moved to Tasmania. In come newcomers Ira Aery, Zoe Samuel, Mia Perrin and rookie fast bowler Bronte Leishman, joining a 19-player list that includes returning allrounder Hasrat Gill and pace prospect Indigo Noble, who is in line for Under-19 duty.
A major boost is Tayla Vlaeminck’s return to the Victorian books after shoulder surgery and a green-and-gold exhibition match in March. Christie praised her professionalism and influence: “She’s been excellent to have around, and certainly a breath of fresh air in terms of her enthusiasm when it comes to training and their competitiveness.”
The preseason itself has been robust, with quality outdoor sessions in Melbourne, centre-wicket work in Mildura, and multi-state trial games on the Sunshine Coast.
With night games at Junction Oval, international reinforcements and a clear improvement plan, Victoria aims to turn last season’s −1 point into a platform for belief, consistency and, finally, wins.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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