Ahead of the last WNCL matches of the regular season, the Tasmanian Tigers return to Ninja Stadium to host Victoria in two huge matches which will impact the 2024-25 WNCL season massively.
The Tigers defeated the ACT Meteors in two bonus point wins in their previous matches in the WNCL, giving them a mathematical chance to still make the WNCL Final again this year.
Tasmania needs to win both games against Victoria, and for South Australia and NSW to drop at least one of their matches against Western Australia and the ACT respectively, to ensure that a WNCL Final and a fourth consecutive WNCL title is still on the cards.
The games against the ACT saw the return of Rachel Trenaman, who had missed more than two years of professional cricket due to injury, as she scored 63 and 80* not out to help Tasmania back-to-back victories.
Captain Elyse Villani also batted terrifically in the first match, scoring a run a ball 117 to play an important role in getting Tasmania to a large total of 6-284.
In the matches against the ACT, Tasmania's bowling unit was equally as impressive, dismissing the Meteors for 184 runs in Game 1 and 153 in Game 2.
The form of leg-spin bowler Maisy Gibson has been one of the best stories of the WNCL season for the Tigers, as she took 7 wickets in her two matches against ACT.
Gibson is sitting second on the overall wicket tally for the entire league, with 21 wickets for the season only trailing leader Amanda-Jade Wellington by three wickets.
Tasmania was also happy to see the return of Lauren Smith to their line-up, after she missed extensive time due to injury prior to the match against the ACT.
For the first of two matches in the WNCL this week, Tasmania see one forced change with Heather Graham unavailable for selection while she is playing in the Women's Premier League for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Coming back into the squad to replace Graham is young pace bowler, Callie Wilson, who has been in good form in Premier Cricket for New Town since recovering from a lower leg injury.
The Tigers match against Victoria starts at 10.30 am tomorrow, with the second match against Victoria to be played on Friday with another squad release to be provided on Thursday.
Their squad of thirteen for the first match against Victoria is as follows:
Elyse Villani (C)
Nicola Carey
Julia Cavanough
Maisy Gibson
Ruth Johnston
Emma Manix-Geeves
Tabatha Saville
Amy Smith
Lauren Smith
Naomi Stalenberg
Molly Strano
Rachel Trenaman
Callie Wilson
MATCH DETAILS
Tasmanian Tigers vs Victoria Women
Wednesday 19 February 2025
Ninja Stadium, Bellerive
First Ball: 10.30 am (AEDT)
Watch: Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au