Redmayne, Kimmince keep Fire's final dream alive

A captain’s knock from stand-in skipper Georgia Redmayne has steered Queensland to a comprehensive eight-wicket win against the NSW Breakers in a rain-reduced match at North Sydney Oval.

Chasing the Breakers’ 7-236, Redmayne opened the batting and played a classy innings that saw her pick apart the NSW bowling attack before hitting the winning runs with a slashing six over backward-point to finish unbeaten on 99, one run short of her second century of this domestic one-day season.

Queensland’s win means they remain in the hunt to join Victoria in the final on March 27, but also confirms Melbourne’s Junction Oval as the venue to host the final.

For the Breakers to avoid missing out on the WNCL final for the first time in the competition’s history, they will need to rebound against Queensland on Sunday, ideally with a bonus point to maximise their chances.

Redmayne was making her debut as Queensland captain in the absence of regular skipper Jess Jonassen who, alongside Queensland wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney, is in New Zealand on international duty.

The in-form opener combined with Queensland young gun Charli Knott, who celebrated her maiden WNCL half-century, for a formidable 128-run partnership to deflate the Breakers bowling attack.

Breakers quick Stella Campbell broke the partnership with a searing delivery that Knott edged behind into the gloves of Tahlia Wilson to depart for 68.

But the pain didn’t stop there for the Breakers as the powerful Laura Kimmince joined Redmayne at the crease. Kimmince, who has made a name for herself in the Rebel WBBL as an inventive, big-hitting finisher, delivered exactly that, smacking a rapid-fire 45 off 37 to seal victory inside 43 overs.

Earlier, after a delayed start reduced the match to 48 overs a side, Queensland won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat.

Queensland debutante Lily Mills celebrated her first WNCL wicket in the 12th over, removing Maddy Darke for 17 to break the opening partnership.

At 1-35, NSW no.3 Rachel Trenaman joined opener Wilson to set a solid platform Breakers as the two combined for 109 runs.

But once Wilson was dismissed by Georgia Prestwidge for 57 in the 32nd over, Queensland allrounder Grace Harris was thrown the ball and proceeded to swing the momentum firmly to the way of the visitors, snaring the wickets of Phoebe Litchfield (9), Sammy-Jo Johnson (1) in quick succession.

Shortly after, Courtney Sippell ensured Trenaman could inflict no further damage as she skied offered an easy catch to Kimmince to depart for 69.

Having failed to capitalise on the platform set in the early stages of the innings, the Breakers were in trouble at 5-174 in the 38th over. A cameo appearance from allrounder Erin Burns saw a quickfire 36 from 28 added to the scoreboard before once again Harris did the damange for Queensland, bowling Burns in the 45^th over.

Harris finished her nine overs with an impressive 3-39. 

Lauren Smith (7*) and Hayley Silver-Holmes (12*) ensured NSW batted out their allotted 48 overs but in the end the total proved too small as Queensland chased it down comfortably.