New South Wales Breakers produced a composed all-round display to register a 62-run victory over South Australia Scorpions in the 41st match of the 2025/26 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season at Adelaide Oval. Steady contributions with the bat and a disciplined bowling effort, highlighted by Player of the Match Lauren Cheatle’s decisive spell, ensured a convincing result for the visitors.
Adams and Mack steady NSW after early setbacks
After being sent in to bat, NSW began cautiously with openers Tahlia Wilson and Katie Mack navigating the early overs. South Australia struck first when Wilson was trapped lbw by Courtney Neale for 7 in the seventh over, with the score on 27. Mack then attempted to rebuild alongside Anika Learoyd, but the stand yielded only seven runs before Learoyd was caught by Bridget Patterson off Amanda-Jade Wellington for 6, leaving NSW at 34/2.
The innings remained unsettled as Claire Moore struggled for fluency and was eventually bowled by Jemma Barsby for 5 after facing 38 deliveries. At 55/3 in the 17th over, NSW required stability, which arrived through a vital 44-run partnership between Mack and Georgia Adams. The pair rotated the strike effectively to rebuild momentum. Mack compiled a patient 45 from 69 balls, striking five boundaries, before Neale dismissed her again with Patterson completing the catch at 99/4 in the 26th over.
Adams then took charge, anchoring the innings with a measured half-century. Her 50 from 59 balls included three fours and a six. She found support in Maitlan Brown as the duo added 48 runs to push the total beyond 140. Brown contributed 22 off 46 deliveries before being caught by Ellie Johnston off Barsby. Adams soon followed, dismissed by Eleanor Larosa, bringing an end to a crucial innings that had steadied NSW at 147/5.
Late contributions lift NSW to competitive total
Important late runs came through Lucy Finn’s 13 and Sarah Coyte’s 4 before she was run out. Captain Cheatle added 9 before falling to Larosa, while Frankie Nicklin provided a late boost with an unbeaten 11 from seven balls. NSW were eventually bowled out for 190 in 48.5 overs, with Adams’ fifty and Mack’s steady knock forming the backbone of the total.
South Australia’s bowlers shared the wickets effectively. Larosa led the attack with figures of 3/26 from eight overs, while Barsby claimed 2/27 and Neale returned 2/43 from her ten overs. Wellington finished with 1/37, and Ella Wilson and Madeline Penna maintained control despite going wicketless.
Cheatle and Bates dismantle South Australia chase
Chasing 191, South Australia’s innings faltered early as Cheatle struck in the opening over to bowl Ellie Johnston for 1. Courtney Webb followed for a duck, caught by Learoyd, and when Penna was also taken by Learoyd off Cheatle for 3, the hosts were reduced to 14/3 within five overs.
Emma de Broughe attempted to stabilise the innings with 21 from 26 balls, but her dismissal sparked another collapse. Bridget Patterson managed only 2 before Brown struck, leaving South Australia struggling at 31/5 inside ten overs.
A determined 76-run partnership between Hollie Armitage and captain Barsby briefly revived hopes. Armitage top-scored with a fighting 40 from 65 deliveries, including six boundaries, while Barsby contributed 41 off 64 balls with seven fours. However, once Armitage fell to Samantha Bates at 107, the resistance faded.
Barsby was soon dismissed by Nicklin, and the lower order could not extend the chase. Larosa scored 4 before falling to Bates, Wellington made just 1, and Ella Wilson’s 6 brought the innings to a close at 128 in 36.3 overs.
Cheatle set the tone with figures of 3/21 from eight overs, while Bates matched her impact with 3/21 from 5.3 overs. Brown and Nicklin collected two wickets each, and tight spells from Finn and Coyte ensured sustained pressure throughout.
New South Wales Women ultimately sealed a comprehensive 62-run victory, with key partnerships, disciplined bowling, and Cheatle’s match-winning performance underpinning a well-rounded team effort.
