Victoria will begin its 2026/27 Women’s National Cricket League campaign against South Australia on Tuesday, with the season opener marking the first women’s match to be played under lights at Junction Oval.
The historic day-night fixture marks another significant step forward for women’s cricket in Victoria, allowing the state’s leading female cricketers to perform under lights at Junction Oval while helping showcase the game to the next generation.
Victoria enters the new season following a pre-season built around connection, performance and continuous learning, with the squad completing its preparations through Second XI fixtures against South Australia and centre-wicket practice under lights last week.
Victorian Women’s Head Coach Andy Christie said the opportunity to begin the season with back-to-back day-night fixtures at home was an exciting moment for the program.
“To have our first two women’s games under lights at Junction Oval is a significant occasion and something the entire group is really excited about,” Christie said.
“Providing our players with more opportunities to play in these environments is really important for the continued development of women’s cricket, but it’s also about what it represents for the next generation of Victorian cricketers coming through.
“We want young girls to be able to come to Junction Oval, watch some of the best players in the country competing under lights and see a pathway that they can aspire to be part of.”
Victoria will welcome Australian contracted trio Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham into its squad for the opening round, bringing significant international experience alongside an exciting group of emerging Victorian talent.
In the absence of captain Nicole Faltum, who is in India with Australia A, vice-captain Rhys McKenna will lead Victoria against South Australia.
Faltum is one of four Victorians unavailable due to Australia A commitments, alongside Milly Illingworth, Tess Flintoff and Tayla Vlaeminck.
Christie said the combination of established international players and Victoria’s emerging talent presented an exciting opportunity to start the season.
“We’ve got a really nice balance within this group,” Christie said.
“To have players like Kim, Annabel and Georgia available gives us an enormous amount of experience and quality, particularly alongside some of the younger players who continue to take significant steps forward.
“Samara Dulvin and Hasrat Gill have both put together really strong pre-seasons, and we’re excited to see what they can bring when the competition gets underway.”
“Last week allowed us to put a lot of that work into practice against South Australia and spend some valuable time training under lights. There’s a lot of excitement within the group now to get out there and start the WNCL season.”
Victorian squad – WNCL Round 1 v South Australia
- Rhys McKenna (c) – Prahran
- Sophie Day – Prahran
- Tia Davidge – Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies
- Samara Dulvin – Ringwood
- Kim Garth* – Dandenong
- Hasrat Gill – Melbourne
- Olivia Henry – Prahran
- Mia Perrin – Geelong
- Georgia Prestwidge – Melbourne
- Zoe Samuel – Melbourne
- Molly Strano – Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies
- Annabel Sutherland* – Prahran
- Georgia Wareham* – Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies
*Cricket Australia contracted player.
Victoria faces South Australia in the opening round of the WNCL on September 29 and October 1 at the Junction beginning from 2 pm AEST. The match can be seen live on Kayo sports and cricket.com.au.
