NSW v Queensland: WNCL Final Preview New South Wales and Queensland will face off in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) final for the Ruth Preddy Cup at Cricket Central in Sydney on Saturday, March 21. The match, scheduled for a coin toss at 9:15am AEDT and the first ball at 10am AEDT, will be broadcast live on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app, Fox Cricket, and Kayo Sports. Admission to the venue is free, with live scores and post-match highlights available on the same platforms. The NSW Breakers, led by captain Lauren Cheatle, will aim to secure their 22nd WNCL title after a dominant season that saw them finish unbeaten in their first 10 matches. However, a narrow loss to South Australia in their final regular-season game highlighted their vulnerability. Key players include Alyssa Healy, who will play her final match for the Breakers in pursuit of her 11th title, and Tahlia Wilson, the new Australian ODI squad member set to join her international teammates in the Caribbean after the final. Player of the tournament Katie Mack, who has scored over 600 runs in the competition, will seek her first title after 106 matches. Queensland Fire, captained by Georgia Redmayne, will look to end a two-year wait for a final victory. Redmayne, now the full-time captain, will lead her team for the third time in a final after previously stepping in for injured players in the past two deciders. The Fire have added depth with the return of Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen, both of whom missed last year’s final due to WPL commitments. Young talents like Sianna Ginger, Ruby Strange, and Mikayla Wrigley have also contributed to the Fire’s improved form. The rivalry between NSW and Queensland has been intense this season, with both teams missing several regular players due to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) schedule.#alyssa_healy #new_south_wales #queensland #cricket_central #ruth_preddy_cup
South Australia Edge Day One Against New South Wales Despite Travis Head's Late Fall South Australia maintained their dominance over New South Wales on the first day of their Sheffield Shield clash, despite losing Australian Test opener Travis Head late in the innings. The hosts secured a strong position after a disciplined bowling display, with fast bowler Henry Thornton claiming a maiden five-wicket haul to steer his side into a commanding position. Head, who opened the batting for South Australia in the competition for the first time this season, was dismissed by Sean Abbott in dramatic fashion. The Australian T20 World Cup squad member struck the edge of Head's bat with the first ball he bowled, and Lachlan Shaw at second slip took a sharp catch to end the innings. The dismissal came after Head had suffered a finger injury from Liam Hatcher in the preceding over, adding to the tension as the hosts ended the day at 1-20 in response to NSW's 269. Thornton was the standout performer for South Australia, taking wickets in every session to disrupt the visitors' innings. Returning to Shield cricket after a break since November, the fast bowler's efforts were crucial in shifting the momentum. The hosts had already gained an early advantage by winning the toss and choosing to field, claiming four wickets in the first session. The day began with a mix of fortune and resilience for South Australia. Sam Konstas, making his first Shield appearance of the season, was dropped at third slip by captain Nathan McSweeney off the fourth ball of the innings. The 20-year-old and Will Salzmann (6) built a 19-run partnership before Salzmann was dismissed by Jordan Buckingham with a sharp return ball that rattled his stumps.#south_africa #travis_head #sheffield_shield #new_south_wales #henry_thornton
South Australia Vs New South Wales: A Test of Depth as T20 Returns to the States The return of international players to state teams in the T20 format has intensified the competition for the Sheffield Shield title, with South Australia and New South Wales locked in a tight race for the final berth. The match between the two teams, set against the backdrop of an Adelaide outfield, carries significant weight as both sides seek to secure a place in the Shield final. Travis Head’s inclusion in South Australia’s squad, alongside Sean Abbott’s return to New South Wales, has reshaped selection strategies, adding depth to teams already vying for dominance in a season where a single result could alter the trajectory of the competition. The narrow margins in the Shield race have made every decision critical. South Australia, currently in a close battle with Queensland for the right to face Victoria in the final, must navigate the challenge of balancing experienced players with emerging talent. The inclusion of Head, a key figure in Australia’s T20 squad, provides the team with a formidable batting option, while Abbott’s return to New South Wales adds a layer of pace and experience to their attack. These additions highlight the strategic importance of integrating international talent into domestic cricket, a move that has become increasingly necessary as the competition for top spots tightens. Beyond the immediate impact on selection, the return of players like Matthew Renshaw to Queensland and Matthew Kuhnemann to Tasmania underscores the broader implications for the sport. Renshaw’s strong recent form offers Queensland a chance to solidify their position in the race, while Kuhnemann’s spin options bolster Tasmania’s bowling attack.#south_africa #sheffield_shield #south_australia #new_south_wales #matthew_renschaw
South Australia Names 13-Man Squad for Sheffield Shield Clash Against NSW South Australia has finalized its 13-player squad for the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales, set to take place at Karen Rolton Oval starting March 5. The team includes four new faces compared to their previous group, which faced Queensland in a recent fixture. The match marks a significant opportunity for the team to climb the competition ladder. Travis Head, who starred in an iconic Ashes campaign with three centuries—including a memorable one on his home wicket at Adelaide Oval—has returned to the squad. This will be Head’s first Shield appearance on home soil since October 2022. He aims to replicate his Ashes form at Karen Rolton Oval, a venue where he has a career average of 71.6. Ben Manenti, who participated in Italy’s debut T20 World Cup campaign, has also rejoined the squad. His inclusion adds experience following the tournament, where Italy secured its first-ever win. Henry Thornton, sidelined by injury in recent Shield matches, is back in the fold, as is Tim Oakley. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Harvey and Lloyd Pope have been omitted, with Campbell Thompson missing due to injury. The squad’s recent performance in a four-day match against Queensland showcased their strength. South Australia secured a dominant seven-wicket victory, moving into third place on the ladder. They now trail Queensland by just 0.95 points. Liam Scott was instrumental in the win, taking 5/33 in the first innings. Jake Lehmann led the chase with a composed 74 from 123 balls, while Nathan McAndrew’s 5/32 in the second innings dismantled Queensland’s resistance.#travis_head #sheffield_shield #south_australia #new_south_wales #karen_rolton_oval
