Cricket.com.au's team of the WNCL

1) Rachael Haynes
(NSW Breakers)

M: 7 | Runs: 363 | HS: 103* | Ave: 90.75 | SR: 112.73 | 50s: 3 | 100s: 1

Image Id: 44CFA980AA8D47FB8D2BB9457F0E4C58 Image Caption: Rachael Haynes was named player of the tournament // Getty

The NSW opener had a stunning season at the top of the order, named player of the tournament for her efforts. Unsurprisingly, the Breakers are well represented in this team after progressing through undefeated to win their 19th WNCL title from 22 attempts, with Haynes a key aspect of this successful title defence.

2) Alyssa Healy (wk)
(NSW Breakers)

M: 7 | Runs: 342 | HS: 122 | Ave: 48.85 | SR: 99.13 | 50s: 2 | 100s: 1 | Ct: 8 | St: 2

Healy edges out Australia teammate Nicole Bolton for a spot at the top of this order after an excellent season at the top of the order alongside Haynes. Healy scored a match-winning ton in the WNCL final, a relief for the 'keeper after she'd been out for 99 earlier in the season. She finished fifth overall on the runs tally, with those runs coming at almost a run-a-ball. Behind the stumps Healy was typically impressive with eight catches and two stumpings.

3) Elyse Villani (c)
(Western Fury)

M: 7 | Runs: 362 | HS: 139 | Ave: 51.71 | SR: 100.83  | 50s: 2 | 100s: 1

Villani is another whose WNCL form will have pleased national selectors leading into Australia's upcoming tour of India. Coming in at first drop, the Fury captain led from the front to top the Fury's run scorer, coming in at third overall behind only Perry and Haynes. Her leadership was also exceptional in turning around a WA outfit that finished winless on the bottom of the table last summer, guiding them into their first WNCL final in 18 years. The only thing missing was the title, but she was the shining light in the defeat to the Breakers, scoring a valiant 67-ball 74.

4) Ellyse Perry
(NSW Breakers)

M: 7 | Runs: 372 | HS: 127* | Ave: 74.40 | SR: 96.62 | 50s: 1 | 100s: 1 | Wkts: 9 | Econ: 3.90 | Ave: 22.55 | SR: 34.6 | BBI: 3-37

The ever-reliable Perry seemed to go quietly about her business throughout the season but emerged as the league's leading run-scorer despite posting just one 50 - the 96 she scored in the final - alongside her century from the second round of the tournament, while she finished unbeaten on two occasions. She also picked up nine wickets, including 3-37 against Queensland to begin the season.

5) Sophie Devine
(SA Scorpions)

M: 6 | Runs: 342 | HS: 117 | Ave: 57.00 | SR: 137.34 | 50s: 1 | 100s: 2 | Wkts: 4 | Econ: 4.67 | Ave: 32.75 | SR: 42.0 | BBI: 1-11

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Devine's outstanding summer on Australian soil wasn't limited to the Rebel WBBL. The New Zealand allrounder was brilliant for the Scorpions in the 50-over format as well, scoring a century early on in the season against WHO, before finishing off with a flourish with knocks of 88 and 73 in the final weekend of the regular season. With the ball, Devine didn't make quite the same impact she did in WBBL|03 but she did collect four scalps and provided captain Tegan McPharlin with a useful part-time option.  

6) Amy Jones
(Western Fury)

M: 6 | Runs: 200 | HS: 67 | Ave: 50 | SR: 97.08 | 50s: 2 | 100s: 0

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The England wicketkeeper was a very handy addition to the WA ranks this season. When Villani and Nicole Bolton failed to go big, Jones was able to step up with several half-centuries to provide much-needed strength in the middle-order, while she also scored an unbeaten 48 against Tasmania in Adelaide. She took the gloves through the latter part of the season, but is a batter-only in this side with Healy the 'keeper. 

7) Sophie Molineux
(VicSpirit)

M: 6 | Runs: 170 | HS: 62 | Ave: 28.33 | SR: 89.84 | 50s: 2 | 100s: 0 | Wkts: 8 | Econ: 3.46 | Ave: 21.62 | SR: 37.5 | BBI: 4-27

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The 20-year-old allrounder didn't dominate in either discipline, but the all-round package that is Sophie Molineux put together a convincing case to the national selectors, who have included her in the Australia ODI squad to tour India. She scored two-half-centuries in what was a tough season for the Spirit, while she also had her moments with the ball - notably, the 4-27 she collected against Tasmania at the MCG.

8) Sam Bates
(ACT Meteors)

M: 6 | Wkts: 10 | Econ: 3.18 | Ave: 17.10 | SR: 32.2 | BBI: 2-15

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The left-arm orthodox spinner was the ACT's top wicket-taker for season 2017-18, picking up 10 wickets and bowling with the miserly economy rate of 3.18. There were no big bags for Bates, but her consistent ability to pick up wickets throughout the season was a bonus for the Meteors, particularly when their star internationals in Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk were unavailable.

9) Kate Cross
(Western Fury)

M: 7 | Wkts: 13 | Econ: 3.88 | Ave: 18.92 | SR: 29.2 | BBI: 3-22

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Another England recruit who made a major impact for the Fury. Cross finished third on the overall wickets table while her economy rate of 3.88 was among the competition's best. Impressively, she bowled 14 maidens throughout the season, while her consistency was a major contributing factor to the Fury's change in fortunes that saw them make the WNCL final for the first time in 18 years, having gone winless the previous edition.

10) Rene Farrell 
(NSW Breakers)

M: 7 | Wkts: 16 | Econ: 3.64 | Ave: 14.75 | SR: 24.2 | BBI: 4-35

The veteran seamer may have retired from international cricket in 2017, but she's still a force to be reckoned with in the NSW blue. Farrell topped the wickets table this season and led the bowling attack with aplomb to ensure the Breakers went through undefeated. Her 4-35 was the ACT was a highlight, while she was again key in the final taking the wickets of Australian pair Villani and Bolton to finish with 2-31 from nine overs.

11) Kristen Beams
(VicSpirit)

M: 6 | Wkts: 11 | Econ: 3.20 | Ave: 14.00 | SR: 26.1 | BBI: 5-13

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The leg-spin star thrived in her first season as skipper, named Victorian leader in place of the injured Meg Lanning. She captured two five-wicket hauls including an incredible 5-13 from 10 overs in the final weekend of WNCL regular-season action. She also produced a stunning display with the bat at No.10 in the same match, scoring an unbeaten 59 to secure a thrilling victory.