Remaining WNCL matches confirmed after schedule rejig

Western Australia and South Australia will finally begin their women's domestic 50-over campaigns on February 27, after the latest revamped schedule for the Women's National Cricket League was revealed.

The season will resume on February 22 when New South Wales host the ACT Meteors at North Sydney Oval in a day-night fixture, while the final has been pushed back to March 25.

Full 2021-22 WNCL schedule

So far just five matches of the 2021-22 season have been played, following a raft of postponements in December and January due to border closures and COVID cases within state programs.

The remaining 24 matches will be played at venues across the ACT, NSW, South Australia and Victoria, with the full season – eight matches per team plus the final between the two top-ranked sides – to be held.

All remaining WNCL matches will be streamed live on Kayo and for free on cricket.com.au, while the final will also be televised on Foxtel.

The SA Scorpions and WA have a particularly hectic period ahead after they were unable to begin their seasons in December or January.

South Australia will host two of their eight matches, while Western Australia will play their entire season in 22 days across Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra, due to the state's ongoing quarantine requirements.

"The consolidated schedule attempts to minimise the time each team will spend away from home, but we acknowledge there are still significant sacrifices from players, staff and match officials," said Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, Peter Roach.

"Cricket NSW and Cricket ACT will host a substantial number of neutral matches and we especially thank their staff, and all the other hosts, for their efforts to allow the season to be completed."

The WNCL teams will be without their Australia stars for the remainder of the season with the team now in New Zealand ahead of the ODI World Cup.

Australia's 17-player squad for the tournament arrived in Christchurch on Thursday, and includes the South Australia quartet of Megan Schutt, Tahlia McGrath, Darcie Brown and Amanda-Jade Wellington.

Queensland also lose four stars to World Cup duties – Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne.

Victoria are missing Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland, while New South Wales are without Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes and Ashleigh Gardner.

Tasmania's bid for their first title will go on without Nicola Carey and Heather Graham, Western Australia will miss Alana King, and ACT Meteors are unaffected.

Queensland are the reigning WNCL champions, having beaten Victoria in last year's final.