The Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) is Australia’s premier domestic one-day cricket competition for women. Established in the 1996–97 season, it brings together state and territory teams in a 50-over format that helps players develop their skills and compete for national selection.
The competition has played an important role in Australian women’s cricket, producing international players and providing regular opportunities for younger cricketers. New South Wales dominated the league for many years, winning 21 titles, while Tasmania and Queensland have also enjoyed successful periods. Queensland won the 2025–26 championship after defeating New South Wales by seven runs under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method in a rain-affected final.
What Is the Women’s National Cricket League?
The WNCL is a domestic 50-over competition organised by Cricket Australia. It features seven teams representing Australia’s six states and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Unlike the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which uses the T20 format, the WNCL gives players experience in longer one-day matches. Teams must manage their innings across 50 overs, balance attacking and defensive batting, and build bowling plans that can work throughout a longer contest.
The tournament also provides a pathway for players hoping to represent Australia. Young cricketers can compete alongside experienced state players and Australian internationals, helping them prepare for higher levels of the game. The competition awards the Ruth Preddey Cup to its champions.
History of the Women’s National Cricket League
The WNCL began in the 1996–97 season, replacing the Australian Women’s Cricket Championships, which had been played since the 1930s. Its introduction created a regular domestic one-day competition for Australia’s leading state teams.
New South Wales made an immediate impact, winning the first two titles and establishing itself as the competition’s leading side. The team continued to dominate over the following years, collecting championships across several decades and building a record that no other WNCL team has matched.
The competition expanded from its original five teams. The Australian Capital Territory joined in 2009–10, followed by Tasmania in 2010–11, bringing the league to seven teams.
New South Wales continued to win titles after the expansion, but other teams gradually became more competitive. South Australia won its first championship in 2015–16, while Western Australia claimed its maiden title in 2019–20. Queensland won the trophy in 2020–21, and Tasmania then enjoyed a successful run with three consecutive titles from 2021–22 to 2023–24.
New South Wales returned to the top in 2024–25 before Queensland won the 2025–26 final. These results show how the competition has become more competitive, even though New South Wales remain comfortably ahead in the all-time title standings.
Women’s National Cricket League Teams
The WNCL features seven teams, with each Australian state represented alongside the Australian Capital Territory.
| Team | State or Territory |
| New South Wales Breakers | New South Wales |
| Queensland Fire | Queensland |
| South Australian Scorpions | South Australia |
| Victorian women | Victoria |
| Western Australian women | Western Australia |
| Tasmanian Tigers | Tasmania |
| ACT Meteors | Australian Capital Territory |
Each team competes for the same trophy, and all seven sides play each other twice during the regular season. The format gives teams multiple opportunities to earn points before the leading sides qualify for the final.
The competition also gives each state a chance to develop its own players and build a strong domestic programme. Several teams have produced players who went on to represent Australia in international cricket.
Women’s National Cricket League Format
The WNCL follows a 50-over format, with each team allowed to face up to 50 overs during its innings. The tournament combines a league stage with a final to decide the champion.
The 2026–27 season features 43 matches. Each of the seven teams plays the other six teams twice during the double round-robin stage, with the top two teams advancing to the final. The final is scheduled for March 20, 2027.
The league format rewards consistency across the season rather than success in a single knockout match. Teams must earn enough points through wins and other available bonus points to finish in the top two.
The 50-over format also tests different skills from T20 cricket. Batters need to build innings while maintaining a scoring rate, and bowlers must manage their overs carefully across different stages of a match.
Women’s National Cricket League Winners List
New South Wales have won the most WNCL titles, with 21 championships through the end of the 2025–26 season. Tasmania have won three, while Queensland and Victoria have two titles each. South Australia and Western Australia have each won the competition once.
The following table lists the winners and runners-up for every completed season from 1996–97 through 2025–26.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
| 1996–97 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 1997–98 | New South Wales | South Australia |
| 1998–99 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 1999–00 | New South Wales | Western Australia |
| 2000–01 | New South Wales | Queensland |
| 2001–02 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2002–03 | Victoria | New South Wales |
| 2003–04 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2004–05 | Victoria | New South Wales |
| 2005–06 | New South Wales | Queensland |
| 2006–07 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2007–08 | New South Wales | South Australia |
| 2008–09 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2009–10 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2010–11 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2011–12 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2012–13 | New South Wales | Queensland |
| 2013–14 | New South Wales | Victoria |
| 2014–15 | New South Wales | South Australia |
| 2015–16 | South Australia | New South Wales |
| 2016–17 | New South Wales | Queensland |
| 2017–18 | New South Wales | Western Australia |
| 2018–19 | New South Wales | Queensland |
| 2019–20 | Western Australia | New South Wales |
| 2020–21 | Queensland | Victoria |
| 2021–22 | Tasmania | South Australia |
| 2022–23 | Tasmania | South Australia |
| 2023–24 | Tasmania | Queensland |
| 2024–25 | New South Wales | Queensland |
| 2025–26 | Queensland | New South Wales |
WNCL 2025–26 Season Review
Queensland won the 2025–26 WNCL title after defeating New South Wales in a rain-affected final on March 21, 2026. The Fire posted 332 runs for seven wickets from their 50 overs, setting up a difficult chase for the defending champions.
Grace Harris led the Queensland innings with 111 runs from 94 balls, while Georgia Redmayne scored 105. Their centuries helped Queensland record one of the highest totals in a WNCL final.
New South Wales began its chase strongly, but rain interrupted the match and forced a revised target of 220 runs from 32 overs. The Breakers finished on 212 for six, falling seven runs short under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method.
The victory gave Queensland its second WNCL title, following its previous championship in 2020–21. Jess Jonassen played an important role with the ball at the end of the match, while Harris received the Player of the Final award.
WNCL 2025–26 Final Scorecard
| Team | Score |
| Queensland Fire | 332/7 in 50 overs |
| New South Wales Breakers | 212/6 in 32 overs |
| Result | Queensland won by 7 runs under DLS |
| Player of the Final | Grace Harris |
New South Wales had finished first in the regular-season standings with 11 wins from 12 matches. Queensland ended the league stage in second place with eight wins before defeating the Breakers in the final.
WNCL 2026–27 Season
The 2026–27 WNCL season began on September 29, 2026, with matches scheduled across Australia. The opening round included fixtures between Victoria and South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, and Western Australia and Tasmania.
The season follows the same 43-match format as the previous campaign. All seven teams are scheduled to play each other twice, with the top two sides advancing to the final on March 20, 2027. After the opening round, the competition is set to resume on December 14.
The season’s schedule also overlaps with other women’s competitions and international cricket, which can affect the availability of contracted Australian players. The WNCL remains an important opportunity for state players to make a strong impression and push for selection in Australia’s national teams.
Queensland will enter the season as defending champions after its victory over New South Wales in the previous final. The Breakers will be looking to return to the top after finishing runners-up, while other teams will aim to challenge the two leading sides.
Most Successful Teams in WNCL History
New South Wales have been the most successful team in the competition since its launch. The Breakers dominated the early seasons and continued to win titles across the 2000s and 2010s, building a substantial lead over the other states.
Tasmania enjoyed a notable period of success by winning three consecutive championships from 2021–22 to 2023–24. Queensland have also won two titles, including the latest championship in 2025–26. Victoria have two titles, while South Australia and Western Australia have each won once.
| Team | WNCL Titles |
| New South Wales | 21 |
| Tasmania | 3 |
| Queensland | 2 |
| Victoria | 2 |
| South Australia | 1 |
| Western Australia | 1 |
| ACT Meteors | 0 |
The title record highlights New South Wales’ long-term strength, but the recent winners show that other teams have increasingly challenged for the trophy.
Important Players and WNCL’s Role in Australian Cricket
The WNCL features a mix of experienced internationals and emerging players. Its 50-over format allows cricketers to develop skills that are important in one-day international cricket, including building long innings, handling pressure and maintaining control during different stages of a match.
The 2025–26 season featured strong performances from Queensland’s Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne in the final. Harris scored 111 runs and Redmayne added 105, helping Queensland set a challenging total against New South Wales.
New South Wales batter Katie Mack was named WNCL Player of the Year for 2025–26. She scored 632 runs at an average of 63.2 across 12 innings during the regular season. The campaign also saw her reach 100 WNCL appearances and pass 3,500 career runs in the competition.
Performances like these demonstrate why the league remains important to Australia’s domestic structure. It gives players regular one-day cricket and provides selectors with a way to assess form, consistency and readiness for higher levels.
WNCL at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Women’s National Cricket League |
| Abbreviation | WNCL |
| Country | Australia |
| Governing Body | Cricket Australia |
| First Season | 1996–97 |
| Format | Women’s 50-over cricket |
| Number of Teams | 7 |
| Current Champions | Queensland Fire |
| Previous Champions | New South Wales Breakers |
| Most Successful Team | New South Wales |
| Most Titles | 21 |
| Trophy | Ruth Preddey Cup |
| 2025–26 Player of the Year | Katie Mack |
| 2026–27 Final Date | March 20, 2027 |
FAQs
Q. What is the Women’s National Cricket League?
A. The WNCL is Australia’s domestic 50-over cricket competition for women.
Q. When did the WNCL begin?
A. The competition began in the 1996–97 season.
Q. How many teams play in the WNCL?
A. Seven teams represent Australia’s six states and the ACT.
Q. Who won the 2025–26 WNCL title?
A. Queensland Fire won the title by defeating New South Wales in the final.
Q. Which team has won the most WNCL titles?
A. New South Wales are the most successful team, with 21 titles.
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