New South Wales Eager to Reclaim Pride and Begin New WNCL Journey

Sarah Coyte is aiming for an impressive 10th state title when they face Queensland, who will be without Georgia Voll.

Georgia Adams and Georgia Redmayne before the WNCL final between Queensland and NSW

New South Wales veteran Sarah Coyte openly says that winning the grand final against Queensland on Sunday would be more meaningful than her first six WNCL titles with the state.

“This is because NSW has been rebuilding for the past four or five years,” Coyte told AAP.

Coyte, at 33, is one of the few remaining players from NSW’s dominant era in women’s domestic cricket. She won six titles with the state between 2010 and 2015, as part of the Breakers’ record of 10 consecutive titles in the 2000s and 2010s.

The Breakers were so dominant in the early years of the 50-over WNCL that they won 20 of the first 23 competitions and were runners-up in the other three.

“Back when NSW kept winning, it was just expected because we had all the big names,” Coyte said. “The program has changed completely since then. We don’t have as many big names now, and the Australian team always has commitments. Now we have to fight and work really hard for it, and it shows.”

Coyte is very familiar with winning. After leaving NSW for South Australia in 2015-16, she ended NSW’s winning streak by securing a title there. She won two more titles in Tasmania and is now aiming for her 10th WNCL title in 13 full seasons, including a break in her career.

“It would be the ultimate achievement. It would mean so much for NSW to be back at the top,” she said. “Not just for me, but for Cricket NSW to return to prominence after rebuilding.”

Winning machine: Sarah Coyte is searching for a 10th WNCL title

The changed landscape of the WNCL means that Sunday’s final will not feature any Australian national team players. Queensland’s Georgia Voll was the last player to leave for India for the WPL on Friday. However, this opens opportunities for other players to realize their long-held dreams. For Queensland, who topped the table, up to six players in their XI could win their first title after losing to Tasmania in last year’s final.

“It’s disappointing that Georgia Voll will miss the final – we would have loved her to play, and I know she would have wanted to play too, but it’s a great opportunity for her and a reward for her season so far,” said Queensland captain Georgia Redmayne. “Considering how quickly she needs to get to India, I really hope they give her the opportunity she deserves on Tuesday.”

“The good thing about having so many players moving in and out is that we’ve been able to give many opportunities to a lot of girls throughout the season. Everyone in our 13-player squad has played games this season, so everyone has experience and exposure. We’re not suddenly bringing in new players for a final, which I think is a good sign for us.”

Georgia Voll has received a late call-up to the WPL

For NSW, a new generation is seeking success after finishing fifth and sixth in the past two years. For senior Breakers players like Sammy-Jo Johnson and spinner Sam Bates, a title opportunity awaits after NSW’s past dominance had its downsides for younger players.

Knowing only of NSW’s winning history, both Johnson and Bates had to move to Queensland and ACT respectively to get opportunities before returning to NSW in recent years.

“My childhood goal was to play for NSW,” Johnson said. “That’s all I dreamed about, just wanting to wear the baggy blue. But Queensland gave me a chance, and I wouldn’t have made a name for myself if I hadn’t gone somewhere else to chase it.”

Now, they know they have a chance to create a new legacy for NSW on Sunday.

“The history is very rich, but the great thing about this group is that we’ve created our own path,” Johnson said. “We’ve experienced struggles. We’ve had many injuries… We’ve had to work hard.”

WNCL Final Squads