Cricket Central in Sydney will host a high-stakes showdown as New South Wales (NSW) Breakers take on Queensland Fire in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 2025–26 Final. The Breakers have dominated the campaign, losing just one of their twelve matches to finish comfortably atop the standings with 49 points. Queensland Fire, meanwhile, had to overcome a challenging mid-season phase and hold off a late push from Western Australia, eventually sealing their place in the final with eight wins. With NSW carrying the confidence of a commanding league phase and the Fire proving their ability to edge close contests, the clash shapes up as a compelling repeat of last season’s decider.
Squads
New South Wales Breakers Women’s Cricket Team:
Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Elsa Hunter, Frankie Nicklin, Katie Mack, Phoebe Litchfield, Tara French, Ash Gardner, Caoimhe Bray, Ellyse Perry, Erin Burns, Alyssa Healy, Kate Pelle, Tahlia Wilson, Hannah Darlington, Jade Allen, Lauren Cheatle, Maitlan Brown, Samantha Bates, Sarah Coyte, Sienne Eve
Queensland Fire Women’s Cricket Team:
Annie O’Neil, Laura Harris, Lucy Bourke, Charli Knott, Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger, Georgia Redmayne, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla Wrigley, Bonnie Berry, Jess Jonassen, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Nicola Hancock
Players to Watch
Katie Mack
A return to her home state has coincided with an outstanding season for Katie Mack, who was named the WNCL Player of the Season after a prolific campaign for the Breakers. She accumulated 632 runs during the league stage at an average of 63.20, maintaining consistency despite shifting positions in the batting order to accommodate returning international players. Although a century remained out of reach — with three scores in the 90s — her six half-centuries played a key role in NSW’s strong run to the top of the table.
Georgia Redmayne
Queensland Fire captain Georgia Redmayne once again underlined her dependability with the bat, compiling 453 runs at an average of 50.33. Her knack for producing significant contributions was evident in three centuries against Australian Capital Territory Meteors, Tasmania Tigers, and NSW Breakers. Heading into the final, she also brings value behind the stumps, having taken 10 catches and completed 6 stumpings over the course of the season.
Lauren Cheatle
Lauren Cheatle, who stepped into the leadership role for NSW this season, has delivered a career-best bowling performance and finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker. The left-arm seamer consistently troubled top-order batters, claiming 26 wickets at a strike rate of 24.15 while maintaining tight control through the middle overs. Her best effort of 4/32 highlighted a campaign in which she demonstrated both peak fitness and strong tactical awareness.
Sianna Ginger
Young all-rounder Sianna Ginger has emerged as a major influence for Queensland Fire, enjoying a breakthrough season that has enhanced her reputation as one of Australia’s promising talents. She spearheaded the Fire’s bowling unit with 19 wickets, including a crucial spell of 4/35 that reflected her ability to break key partnerships. Alongside her bowling contributions, her athletic fielding and useful lower-order batting have added further balance to the Queensland lineup ahead of the title clash.
Pitch Report
The surface at Cricket Central is expected to favour batters, continuing its trend as a venue known for high totals this season. Several matches have already seen scores surpass the 300-run mark, suggesting reliable bounce and carry for stroke-makers. Fast bowlers, however, could extract some early movement and pace during the opening session before the pitch settles into a flatter track.
Weather Forecast
Conditions around Sydney Olympic Park are predicted to feature scattered thunderstorms during the day, with temperatures reaching a high of 24°C and dropping to 18°C. Southerly winds at around 6 mph and a 65% chance of daytime rain could bring interruptions before the weather transitions to a partly cloudy evening.
Match Details
- Date: March 21, 2026
- Time: 4:30 AM IST
- Venue: Cricket Central, Sydney
- Broadcast: Live streaming will be available on cricket.com.au
