ACT Meteors secure back-to-back wins over Victoria in WNCL thriller

Our ACT Meteors have established themselves as a team to watch in the 2024/25 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), securing two dramatic back-to-back wins over Victoria in a thrilling series of matches.

On Sunday, the opening match of the back-to-back series, saw the ACT Meteors face off against a strong Victoria side at the picturesque, EPC Solar Park. Our Meteors won the toss and elected to bowl. What a performance they displayed. Amazing figures from Grace Dignam, Gabby Sutcliffe and Alisha Bates saw the Meteors bowl out Victoria for 180. 

• Grace Dignam 4/44 (10)
• Gabby Sutcliffe 2/22 (8)
• Alisha Bates 2/46 (8)

With a chase of 180 ahead of them, the girls came out swinging with our skipper Katie Mack producing a half century to put the girls in a commanding position.

• Katie Mack 51 (66)
• Carly Leeson 22 (44)
• Rachel Carroll 22 (66)

With just over three overs to spare, the Meteors reached their target taking away their two-wicket victory as they produced an astonishing 8/183 for the win.

The second game of the series saw both sides returning to the field on Tuesday, and while the first win gave the Meteors a boost, they knew Victoria would come out very determined for redemption. After winning the toss again, Katie Mack decided to bowl first, and once again, the ACT bowlers set the tone.

• Carly Leeson 4/33 (10)
• Zoe Cooke 3/10 (5.1)
• Gabby Sutcliffe 1/15 (6)

Victoria’s Sophie Reid and Meg Lanning looked in total control at 3/108 before the ACT bowling attack proved too strong once again through the middle overs. As Victoria struggled to execute towards the back end of their innings, they ended up being bowled out for 172 (38.1). The chase looked daunting as the girls knew Victoria were going to throw everything they could at them out on the field, but the Meteors, who had gained confidence from the first match, responded brilliantly. Player of the Match Olivia Porter, and skipper Katie Mack laid a solid foundation with the bat.

• Olivia Porter 80* (101)
• Katie Mack 46 (57)
• Carly Leeson 29* (35)

In an exciting finale, the Meteors reached their target with 8 wickets in hand, finishing up 2/173 (32.2). 

This back-to-back victory proves a huge milestone for the ACT Meteors as it is their first time with back-to-back victories in three years, and gives them a massive amount of confidence moving into the next round of the WNCL competition.

We look forward to watching them run out onto the field as they come up against Tasmania on the February 1 & 3 at Bellerive Oval in the next round of the WNCL.