NSW open campaign with thumping bonus-point win

A clinical New South Wales have begun their quest for redemption in the 2026-27 Women's National Cricket League with a dominant bonus-point victory over last season's champions Queensland.

NSW chased down the target of 168 with exact 25 overs to spare, set up by a 124-run opening partnership between Phoebe Litchfield and new recruit Emma Manix-Geeves.

A second career WNCL five-wicket haul from spinner Sam Bates ensured the Fire never got away, with the veteran left-armer named player of the match for her spell.

But it was Litchfield's strokeplay that looked a class above.

Given a life on eight by Grace Collins, the Australia international dominated thereafter, cracking 13 boundaries as she whizzed away to 68 off 56 balls.

Her attack on the normally miserly Jess Jonassen, which included three consecutive fours in the spinner's first over, was particularly impressive.

Recruited from Tasmania over the off-season, 26-year-old Manix-Geeves (51) was the perfect foil for Litchfield and she too reached her half-century with ease.

The introduction of Queensland first-gamer Aya Kato-Stafford into the attack prevented a 10-wicket defeat and the 16-year-old took four wickets in her first spell in the WNCL.

The leg-spinner, who has already represented Japan in international cricket, had Litchfield caught at mid off in her first over and Ellyse Perry (0) caught at cover in her second.

She then claimed Manix-Geeves and Burns in consecutive balls to claw back some respectability for her side.

But on a good batting surface, 167 was never going to be enough for the visitors.

After stand-in skipper Annie O'Neil chose to bat first, it was a very positive start as Georgia Voll and Jonassen lifted Queensland to 1-97 after 19 overs.

But some superb captaincy from Lauren Cheatle (1-10) combined with some loose shots and panicked running from the Fire saw a dramatic collapse of 3-1 in eight balls.

Queensland lost their final nine wickets for 70 runs and were bowled out with 12 overs to spare.

On a good batting track, Voll (83) was the only batter in the first innings to pass 21 and looked a near certainty to become only the eighth player to carry her bat in the competition.

But her attempt to clear Perry at long on failed, becoming Bates' fifth wicket of the innings.