Brilliant Breakers win 20th WNCL title

New South Wales have claimed an incredible 20th Women’s National Cricket League title, holding off a spirited Queensland by 31 runs at North Sydney Oval.

Half-centuries from Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes and allrounder Nicola Carey helped the Breakers set Queensland 260 for victory, before Carey picked up three wickets as the Fire were bowled out for 228.

NSW have now won a remarkable 20 titles from 23 editions of the WNCL, continuing one of the great dynasties of Australian sport.

 

It also ensured Ellyse Perry was farewelled on a winning note, with the superstar allrounder to play for Victoria next WNCL season.

With an XI boasting nine current or former Australian players, the Breakers headed into the game as strong favourites.

But it was Queensland who drew first blood when Breakers captain Alyssa Healy was trapped lbw shouldering arms to Sammy-Jo Johnson, departing for a duck.

 

No.3 Perry made a solid start in partnership with Haynes but there was to be no fairy tale finish to her last innings in the sky blue, falling lbw to Jonassen on 31 immediately after the first drinks break.

But it took Queensland almost 20 overs to find their next wicket as Haynes joined with Carey in a key 103-run third-wicket stand.

 

Haynes superbly anchored the innings in her 79 from 105 deliveries, ably backed up by allrounder Carey (50 from 67) who made the most of being handed a life on 16 to bring up a half-century of her own before departing immediately after.

An aggressive run-a-ball 30no from allrounder Ashleigh Gardner, featuring the sole six of the innings, and a handy 16 from Sarah Aley lifted the Breakers to 7-259.

Perry didn’t take long to make her mark on the game in the field, taking a brilliant running catch on the boundary to secure the first breakthrough for the Breakers and send Fire captain Kirby Short on her way for eight.

 

No.3 Jess Jonassen also fell cheaply, caught behind for 17 off the bowling of left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle.

Queensland’s hopes rested on opener Beth Mooney – the hero of Brisbane’s Rebel WBBL final win over the Sydney Sixers a fortnight ago – but there was to be no repeat of her 20-over efforts, with the left-hander bowled by Nicola Carey on 34 (49).

Rain briefly delayed the Breakers’ charge towards title No.20 but they picked up where they left off when the skies cleared.

 

Maisy Gibson had Josie Dooley out top-edging on six, and while Laura Harris rode her luck to reach 25 before becoming Carey’s second victim and big-hitting Johnson (13 off 29) never quite found her rhythm.

Delissa Kimmince kept Queensland’s hopes alive during her spirited knock of 44 from 41, while Jemma Barsby scored a fighting 36no from 37, but it wasn't enough to get the Fire over the line as they were bowled out for 228 in the 48th over.

Rene Farrell was rewarded with two wickets during an excellent display with the ball that contained the Fire batters early, ending her 10 overs with 2-37, while Carey capped off an impressive all-round game with 3-31 off 8.2.

Left-arm spinner Jonassen (2-43) was the best of the Fire bowlers, while Kimmince (2-52) and Haidee Birkett (2-19) were the other multiple wicket takers.

With the women’s domestic summer now completed, the Australian players will turn their attention to the upcoming one-day international series against New Zealand beginning in Perth on February 22.

NSW XI: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Nicola Carey, Naomi Stalenberg, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachel Trenaman, Rene Farrell, Sarah Aley, Lauren Cheatle, Maisy Gibson

Queensland XI: Beth Mooney, Kirby Short (c), Jessica Jonassen, Josie Dooley, Laura Harris, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Delissa Kimmince, Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Holly Ferling, Georgia Prestwidge