AS much of the country was enjoy a long weekend of some description, the summer of cricket got underway with the return of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL).

With all teams except reigning champions Tasmania in action over the weekend, let us catch up on all the action across the six matches.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA VS ACT

Western Australia have already improved on their 2021/22 season after one weekend, after defeating the ACT Meteors twice.

In game one, despite Rebecca Carter’s best efforts with a 65 with the bat, the Meteor’s batting line up was no match for Alana King.

The West Aussie, who’s coming off the back of a remarkable 12 months or so, ripped through the ACT lineup to take 5/12 off her eight overs, half of which were maidens.

With six of ACT’s batters making a duck, they made 143 which was never going to be competitive enough, and sure enough the West Aussies reached the target in the 31^st over thanks to a 75 not out from Chloe Piparo.

In game two the Meteors had to contend with a Beth Mooney on fire, who smashed 151 not out to  help her new side to a mammoth 297 off their 50 overs.

Despite the best efforts of a 57 from Katie Mack, no one else could match her scoring ability so reaching the target was never going to happen. WA made the task even harder when King took a further three wickets to back up her five from the first game.

NSW VS QUEENSLAND

Queensland have perhaps caused the upset of the weekend, defeating NSW twice to get their season off to the best possible way.

In game one, a 145 run batting masterclass from Georgia Voll ensured the Queenslanders posed a very healthy total of 307.

Not even a three wicket performance from Ebony Hoskin could slow the Queenslanders down.

In response, despite a 65 at the top of the order from Tahlia Wilson, NSW was no match for Grace Harris (3/24 from eight overs) and the rest of the Queensland bowling attack.

The Breakers could only manage 196 before being bowled out.

In game two it was the Breakers who batted first, and things went even worse this time around for the Breakers.

Despite a 42 from Pheobe Litchfield, the likes of Georgia Prestwidge (3/28 off eight overs) and Courtney Sippel (2/36 off seven overs) ensured the Breakers only made 155.

In reply Harris (77 not out) and Georgia Redmayne (61 not out) ensured that the target was never going to be a challenge, reaching the target inside 20 overs.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA VS VICTORIA

South Australia also got its WNCL season off to a great start, defeating Victoria in game one of their two game series, but the two sides actually drew their second match thanks to a pesky little issue called rain.

In game one, after a very shaky start by the Victorians, Ellyse Perry (117 not out) and Annabel Sutherland (110 not out) put on a 211 run partnership to steer the ship of the innings back on course.

However it was not going to be enough for the Victorians as they encountered a Tahlia McGrath on fire, who posted 111 not out to help guide her side to the win with three balls to spare.

In Game 2 the Scorpions batted first, and after a wobbly innings finished on a total of 200. Their biggest danger was not a particular bowler, but the arm of Sutherland, who nabbed three run outs by herself.

Then, the rain hit and Victoria’s innings got reduced to 23 overs.

After a promising start by the Victorians, Jemma Barsby got to work for South Australia and ripped through the Victorian batting line up.

It all came down to the last over, and unfortunately for both sides they could not be split. After some debate as to whether to use a super over, it was determined that the match would end in a draw.