Open field for WNCL semi-finals

The monopoly associated with the Women’s National Cricket League may be over this season.

NSW have dominated the competition since its inception, winning a remarkable 16 trophies from a possible 18 titles. 

Yet this season, the Lend Lease Breakers have crashed to finish fourth on the competition ladder behind the Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit, Konica Minolta Queensland Fire and Breeze Air SA Scorpions. 

If it weren’t for the semi-finals in the WNCL, the final would have seen Victoria fight it out with Queensland for the Ruth Preddy trophy. 

Such a scenario would mean the Breakers would not be part of the final for the first time in WNCL history. It still remains a possibility. 

All the qualifying teams have the ability, skill and talent to win the WNCL title. Both semi-finals will be played on Friday, January 23 and the final two days later.

In first place, the VicSpirit have won the most matches, with five wins. It isn’t a surprise given the strength of their batting line-up with both Meg Lanning (399) and Nicole Bolton (392) sitting first and second on the WNCL aggregate of runs.

With their top four all part of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, it has actually been their most experienced player – Kelly Applebee – that has been the key behind their success this season. 

Most opposition would spend a lot of their time analysing the top four players, but Applebee has provided strength and stability in the middle order. 

Throughout the season in both competitions, Applebee has performed under pressure to assist the Spirit getting across the line. 

Apart from their strength in the batting department, their bowlers are doing the job as well. Julie Hunter is having success at the start of the innings, picking up key wickets in the first ten overs. From there they are able to constrict the opposition with their attack of spin and pace off the ball. 

The fact that the Spirit can post or chase large totals has meant opposition teams start the match under pressure before a ball is bowled.

Before VicSpirit can make another final, they have to meet the Breakers in the semi-final, something that they have never done before. The rivalry and history between both teams goes well beyond WNCL, yet in their most recent battle the Spirit won the WNCL fixture by five wickets, thanks largely to a 149-run partnership between Lanning (103) and Applebee (73*).

The Breakers are looking for their tenth consecutive title and whilst they haven’t been able to put consistent performances on the board throughout the season, they will be now trying to focus on one game at a time. 

With the firepower to match the Spirit in both departments, the Breakers will be relying on their seven current and former internationals to pull them through. 

Although the Breakers aren’t dominating the ladders for the leading run scorers or wicket-takers, look out for Leah Poulton who is in the form of her life. Plus, Sarah Aley, who tends to save her best in the bowling department against the navy blue outfit from the south.

Despite sitting fourth, the expectation on the Breakers to make another final will be huge. It will be their ability to draw on finals experiences and to keep their nerve under pressure that may see them make their 19th consecutive final. 

The other semi-final is two teams that have already featured twice each in WNCL finals since 1996-97. 

It will also be the clash of a young group of spinners, with Jemma Barsby, Grace Harris and Amanda Wellington, selected for the Shooting Stars tour of Sri Lanka in February. 

There will be one significant omission from the Fire squad, Jessica Jonassen who unfortunately will still be out due to her surgery at Christmas.

Even without her ability with bat and ball, the Fire have depth and experience that saw them easily account for the Scorpions the last time they met. 

With consistent performance throughout the summer and players with experience in finals, I believe that the Fire will go extremely close to making their third final, if not their first WNCL title.

Standing in their way are the Scorpions who have snuck into third position on the ladder after they upset the more established Breakers last weekend.

Despite that win, the Scorpions have struggled against the more experienced opposition and have had big losses. Therefore they are going to have to rely heavily on their more experienced players, such as Sarah Taylor and Lauren Ebsary to score the bulk of their runs. 

If they bat first and post a competitive total, it will be their bowlers that will bring it home. Megan Schutt is leading the way with the ball up top by creating plenty of chances and with three consistent spinners to strangle hold the middle part of the innings, it should be an interesting contest.

Either way, both semi-finals will be exciting cricket to watch, with the best female athletes on show. 

All their sweat, blood and tears have allowed them to reach the finals and it is now up to each individual to seize the rare opportunity to win the game for their state.