Queensland denied Alyssa Healy a dream send-off by edging New South Wales in a rain-affected Women’s National Cricket League final in Sydney, sealing the title by seven runs via the DLS method.
Centuries from Georgia Redmayne and Grace Harris powered Queensland to a formidable total of 332 for 7. In response, NSW were 212 for 6 when their chase was halted by storms, leaving them short of the revised target of 220.
Match Summary:
- Queensland: 332 for 7 (Grace Harris 111, Georgia Redmayne 105, Lauren Winfield-Hill 55; Lauren Cheatle 3-46)
- New South Wales: 212 for 6 (Tahlia Wilson 76, Alyssa Healy 64)
- Result: Queensland won by seven runs (DLS method)
Playing her final competitive match, Healy struck a brisk 64 from 63 balls to keep the Breakers in contention before her dismissal at 129 for 1. Storms soon interrupted play, and when action resumed, NSW required 91 runs from nine overs.
The chase began to unravel after Jess Jonassen was involved in the run-out of Tahlia Wilson for 76 and then saw Katie Mack caught in the deep. With 15 needed in the final over, Jonassen held her nerve, and Maitlan Brown was run out off the penultimate delivery, confirming Queensland’s second WNCL title following their maiden triumph in 2020-21.
Reflecting on the victory, Jonassen said, “I’ve been playing 17 or 18 years for this team, and yes we’ve won a title but I wasn’t here for it. So that’s the first one I’ve been here for. It’s very special, and definitely something I am going to savour.”
Earlier in the innings, NSW had reduced Queensland to 21 for 2 before Redmayne and Harris took control. Redmayne dominated through the covers, becoming the first player to register four centuries in a single WNCL season. At the other end, Harris combined patience with power, reaching her hundred from 86 balls while frequently targeting the straight boundary.
During the chase, Healy appeared poised for one last decisive knock, reaching her half-century swiftly and striking Nicola Hancock and Grace Parsons for towering sixes.
“I love batting with her, it’s just so easy,” Wilson said. “I’ve looked up to her since I was little, so now to be able to play with her and finish off her last innings with her, it’s pretty special to think about.”
Even after Healy was caught attempting a cut off Charlie Knott, NSW seemed well placed, particularly when rain forced a break with the Breakers marginally ahead on DLS. However, the revised scenario after the delay presented a tougher task.
“How we started with the bat showed we were probably capable of chasing it down,” Wilson said. “But after we came off from the break we knew we had to go out there firing.
“We started well, but when you have to chase 10 an over for nine overs after you’ve been on the sidelines for a few hours does make it tough.”
