Victoria Women vs SA Scorpions Women Prediction, Match 5 WNCL 2026-27: Preview, Playing XI, Dream11
Victoria Women vs SA Scorpions Women prediction for Match 5 of the WNCL 2026-27 season comes just two days after an extraordinary opening-round contest between the same teams at Junction Oval. Victoria chased down South Australia’s 290/7 with two wickets and three balls remaining, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match opening-round set. Annabel Sutherland’s 107 from 96 balls was the defining contribution in the chase, while Tahlia McGrath’s 154 from 137 balls had earlier put South Australia in a strong position.
The result has given Victoria four competition points and a positive net run rate, while South Australia remain without a point after the narrow defeat. The Scorpions now need a win to level the opening-round contest, whereas Victoria have the opportunity to complete a 2-0 sweep.
The first match also highlighted how closely matched the batting resources are. South Australia reached 290/7 through McGrath’s century and useful support from Jemma Barsby, but Victoria’s middle order responded through Sutherland and Georgia Wareham, who added 88. Victoria eventually reached 293/8 from 49.3 overs.
The second match is again being played at Junction Oval, where the two teams will have little time to adjust. Weather could be more influential this time, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a very high chance of rain in Melbourne on Thursday.
Table of Contents
Match Details
| Match | Date | Time | Venue | Tournament/Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Women vs SA Scorpions Women, Match 5 | 1 October 2026 | 9:30 AM IST | Junction Oval, Melbourne | WNCL 2026-27 |
Victoria Women Last 5 ODI Matches
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Opponent Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sep 2026 | South Australia | Won | 293/8 | 290/7 | Won by 2 wickets |
| 14 Mar 2026 | Queensland | Lost | 104 | 106/1 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| 12 Mar 2026 | Queensland | Lost | 238 | 288/6 | Lost by 50 runs |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Western Australia | Lost | 272/6 | 276/6 | Lost by 4 runs |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Western Australia | Lost | 250/8 | 253/4 | Lost by 6 wickets |
Victoria’s recent five WNCL matches now contain one win and four losses. The latest victory is therefore significant because it ended a long losing sequence and came against the same South Australian side they face again.
SA Scorpions Women Last 5 ODI Matches
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Opponent Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sep 2026 | Victoria | Lost | 290/7 | 293/8 | Lost by 2 wickets |
| 14 Mar 2026 | New South Wales | Lost | 128 | 190 | Lost by 62 runs |
| 12 Mar 2026 | New South Wales | Won | 260/7 | 259/5 | Won by 3 wickets |
| 24 Feb 2026 | ACT | Won | 280/8 | 254/8 | Won by 26 runs |
| 5 Feb 2026 | Victoria | Won | 287/4 | 285/7 | Won by 6 wickets |
South Australia have three wins and two losses in their last five matches. Before the opening-round defeat, they had finished the previous WNCL campaign with consecutive wins over ACT and had also beaten Victoria twice in February.
Recent Form Comparison
| Team | Last 5 | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Women | W-L-L-L-L | 1 | 4 |
| SA Scorpions Women | L-L-W-W-W | 3 | 2 |
South Australia still have the stronger broader recent record, but Victoria have the immediate advantage because they won the latest encounter. The first match also suggests that both batting units are capable of producing totals around or above 280 at Junction Oval.
Victoria Women Preview
Victoria began the season with a result that was particularly important given their difficult 2025-26 campaign. They finished last season without a win, but the new campaign has already produced a victory against a South Australian team that had won seven matches last season.
Batting
Victoria’s biggest advantage is the presence of Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham. Sutherland produced an outstanding 107 from 96 balls in the opening match, while Wareham scored 88 from 89 balls. Their partnership transformed the chase after South Australia had appeared to establish control.
Sutherland’s contribution was not restricted to batting. She also took three wickets for 60 runs from her 10 overs, giving Victoria one of the most valuable all-round players in the contest.
Victoria also have Kim Garth, Hasrat Gill and Rhys McKenna around the middle order. McKenna, who is captaining the side in the absence of Nicole Faltum, contributes both leadership and bowling flexibility.
The major challenge is depth. Victoria are missing several players because of Australia A commitments, including Nicole Faltum, Milly Illingworth, Tess Flintoff and Tayla Vlaeminck.
Bowling
Kim Garth, Sophie Day, Molly Strano, Georgia Prestwidge and Sutherland give Victoria a mixture of seam and spin options.
The opening match showed that South Australia’s top order can still score heavily against them. McGrath’s 154 was the clearest example, meaning Victoria’s bowling unit needs to improve its control against the top three and middle-order partnerships.
Powerplay
Victoria need early wickets. South Australia’s opening pair and McGrath can build a platform quickly, so Garth and the other seamers need to create pressure before the batting side settles.
Middle Overs
Georgia Wareham and Sophie Day provide important spin options, while Sutherland can be used as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Victoria need to avoid allowing South Australia to maintain a six-run-per-over pace through the middle phase.
Death Overs
The first match demonstrated that Victoria’s batting can accelerate effectively late in an innings. With Sutherland and Wareham capable of scoring quickly, Victoria’s bowling challenge is to prevent South Australia from again reaching 290-plus.
What Victoria need to do: Improve their first-innings bowling while preserving the aggressive batting approach that delivered the opening victory.
SA Scorpions Women Preview
South Australia have arguably the clearest immediate objective: they need to respond to a narrow defeat and level the two-match opening-round contest.
Their previous season was much stronger than Victoria’s. The Scorpions won seven of their 12 WNCL matches and finished fourth, narrowly missing the final on net run rate.
Batting
Tahlia McGrath was outstanding in the opening match. Her 154 from 137 balls included 17 fours and three sixes, giving South Australia the foundation for 290/7. She also contributed two wickets with the ball.
Jemma Barsby provided valuable support with 50, while Ellie Johnston finished unbeaten on 10 from eight balls. The issue was not the first-innings total; 290 was a competitive score, and South Australia were in a strong position for significant portions of the chase.
Bridget Patterson, Hollie Armitage and Emma de Broughe provide further batting options. South Australia’s batting depth means they do not necessarily need another McGrath-sized innings to win, but they do need their top and middle order to convert starts.
Bowling
Megan Schutt remains the senior pace option and bowled economically in the first match, taking 2/49 from 10 overs. Amanda-Jade Wellington also took two wickets, while McGrath claimed two more.
Wellington is particularly important on a surface where spin can become useful as the innings develops. Her ability to attack the middle order while maintaining control could be a key difference in the rematch.
Powerplay
South Australia should look to attack the Victorian top order rather than simply defend boundaries. Early wickets would reduce the amount of responsibility placed on Sutherland and Wareham.
Middle Overs
Wellington and Barsby can be used to control the run rate, while McGrath provides another option. South Australia’s biggest opportunity is to prevent another long partnership similar to the Sutherland-Wareham stand.
Death Overs
The Scorpions need better execution at the end of the innings. Victoria reached 293 despite losing eight wickets, meaning South Australia were unable to close the chase after repeatedly creating openings.
What South Australia need to do: Take wickets in the middle overs and ensure that a strong total is converted into a winning position.
Team Squad & Team News
Victoria Women Squad
The current Victorian squad includes:
Rhys McKenna, Sophie Day, Tia Davidge, Samara Dulvin, Kim Garth, Hasrat Gill, Olivia Henry, Mia Perrin, Georgia Prestwidge, Zoe Samuel, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham.
Nicole Faltum is unavailable because she is with Australia A, with Milly Illingworth, Tess Flintoff and Tayla Vlaeminck also unavailable for the opening round due to Australia A commitments. Rhys McKenna is captaining Victoria in Faltum’s absence.
The first match used Sutherland, Wareham, Garth and the other principal members of the opening-round group, so major selection changes would need to be confirmed before publication.
South Australia Scorpions Women Squad
South Australia’s squad for the opening Victoria fixtures is:
Hollie Armitage, Jemma Barsby, Maggie Clark, Emma de Broughe, Ellie Johnston, Eleanor Larosa, Isabella Malgioglio, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Beth Worthley.
The broader 2026-27 contracted squad also includes Darcie Brown and Megan Schutt as Cricket Australia-contracted players, with Tahlia McGrath similarly listed among the national representatives.
The first match showed South Australia using the core combination of McGrath, Barsby, Wellington, Schutt and the established batting group.
Probable Playing XI
| Victoria Women Probable XI | SA Scorpions Women Probable XI |
|---|---|
| Samara Dulvin | Emma de Broughe |
| Rhys McKenna (c) | Bridget Patterson |
| Hasrat Gill | Hollie Armitage |
| Annabel Sutherland | Tahlia McGrath |
| Georgia Wareham | Eleanor Larosa |
| Zoe Samuel (wk) | Maddie Penna |
| Kim Garth | Jemma Barsby (c) |
| Molly Strano | Ellie Johnston |
| Georgia Prestwidge | Amanda-Jade Wellington |
| Sophie Day | Megan Schutt |
| Mia Perrin | Isabella Malgioglio |
Probable XIs are subject to official team announcements and the toss.
VICW vs SASW Fantasy / Dream11 Prediction
The first match makes the fantasy strategy relatively straightforward: prioritize players with multiple opportunities to contribute.
| Role | Fantasy Picks |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Zoe Samuel, Bridget Patterson |
| Batters | Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Hollie Armitage |
| All-rounders | Georgia Wareham, Tahlia McGrath, Jemma Barsby |
| Bowlers | Amanda-Jade Wellington, Megan Schutt, Sophie Day |
Captain Options
- Annabel Sutherland — scored 107 and took 3/60 in the first meeting, giving her exceptional all-round involvement.
- Tahlia McGrath — scored 154 and took two wickets in the same match.
Vice-Captain Options
- Georgia Wareham — scored 88 in the first meeting and offers a genuine spin-bowling option.
- Amanda-Jade Wellington — took 2/60 in the opening match and remains a key middle-over wicket-taking threat.
Fantasy suggestions are for informational purposes only and are not guaranteed to produce points or returns.
Victoria Women vs SA Scorpions Women Head-to-Head
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Total WNCL Matches | 12 |
| Victoria Women Wins | 5 |
| SA Scorpions Women Wins | 6 |
| Ties | 0 |
| No Results | 1 |
Last 5 Head-to-Head ODIs
| Date | Venue | Winner | Result/Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Sep 2026 | Junction Oval, Melbourne | Victoria Women | Won by 2 wickets |
| 5 Feb 2026 | Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide | SA Scorpions | Won by 6 wickets |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide | SA Scorpions | Won by 2 wickets |
| 20 Dec 2024 | Bellerive Oval, Hobart | SA Scorpions | Won by 5 wickets |
| 18 Dec 2024 | St Kilda, Melbourne | Victoria Women | Won by 4 wickets |
South Australia have won three of the last five meetings, but Victoria’s latest victory is the most relevant result because it occurred at the same venue and under the same current-season conditions.
Pitch Report
The opening match provides the strongest current evidence for the pitch. South Australia scored 290/7 and Victoria successfully chased the target in 49.3 overs, with both Sutherland and Wareham producing major innings.
The pitch report from the first match described Junction Oval as fast with good bounce, with batting conditions rated average and pace-and-bounce conditions considered favourable for seam bowling.
That combination creates an interesting tactical balance. Batters can trust the bounce once established, but the new ball should still offer enough movement for disciplined seamers to attack the top order.
Spin becomes more relevant if bowlers can vary pace and force batters to hit against the turn. Amanda-Jade Wellington is therefore an important option for South Australia, while Georgia Wareham and Sophie Day can provide Victoria with middle-over control.
The biggest lesson from the first match is that 290 was not enough. Both sides now know that a total around 300 may still leave the chasing team with a realistic opportunity if the top order survives.
If rain interrupts the match, however, pitch behaviour becomes less predictable and DLS calculations could become more important than the raw venue scoring history.
Weather Report
The latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Melbourne on Thursday 1 October indicates a very high chance of rain, with approximately 15–35 mm possible at Melbourne Airport and a maximum temperature around 23°C. The forecast also mentions a chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening.
| Weather Factor | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 16–23°C |
| Humidity | Variable |
| Rain Chance | 100% chance of rain in current BOM forecast |
| Wind | North/northwesterly 15–25 km/h, later shifting |
| Conditions | Cloudy with rain increasing |
DLS/Interruption Risk: High
The timing matters because the match begins around 2:00 PM local time, while the BOM forecast expects rain to become more likely during the afternoon. That creates a meaningful interruption risk.
Cloud cover and rain could increase the value of seam bowling early, while any shortened chase would make powerplay batting especially important. A DLS-adjusted contest could also reduce the relevance of the 290-plus totals produced in the previous match.
Broadcast Details
The match is scheduled to be streamed live through cricket.com.au and Kayo Sports. South Australian Cricket Association confirms the October 1 fixture at Junction Oval and lists Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au as the live viewing options.
Start time: 9:30 AM IST
Local time: 2:00 PM AEST
Venue: Junction Oval, Melbourne
Toss Prediction & Strategy
If Victoria Women win the toss
Victoria should consider batting first if the weather radar shows enough time for a substantial innings.
Their successful chase in the first match demonstrated that the pitch can support high scoring, but the possibility of afternoon rain means a complete first innings cannot be assumed. Batting first gives Victoria an opportunity to establish a DLS-relevant score before the weather becomes a bigger factor.
If rain appears imminent at the toss, bowling first could instead be attractive because Victoria would know exactly how much time remains when beginning their chase.
If SA Scorpions Women win the toss
South Australia could also prefer to bat first, particularly after scoring 290/7 in the first meeting.
The Scorpions have already demonstrated that they can use the surface to build a substantial total. Their priority should be maximising the first 30 overs while retaining wickets for the possibility of an early weather interruption.
Toss Prediction
Predicted toss winner: SA Scorpions Women
The predicted decision is bat first, but weather should be the dominant factor in the actual toss decision. If rain is already approaching the ground, bowling first could become more attractive.
ODI Score Prediction
| Scenario | Projected Score |
|---|---|
| Victoria Women batting first | 260–285 |
| SA Scorpions Women batting first | 270–295 |
Winning Chances
| Outcome | Probability |
|---|---|
| Victoria Women Win | 48% |
| SA Scorpions Women Win | 37% |
| No Result | 15% |
Why the Win Percentage?
| Factor | Victoria Women | SA Scorpions Women | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-order batting | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Middle-order batting | Very strong | Strong | Victoria |
| Finishing | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Powerplay batting | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Middle-over batting | Very strong | Strong | Victoria |
| Death batting | Strong | Strong | Even |
| New-ball bowling | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Spin bowling | Strong | Very strong | South Australia |
| Death bowling | Strong | Strong | Even |
| All-round depth | Very strong | Very strong | Even |
| Recent form | 1-4 before current win | 3-2 | South Australia |
| Current head-to-head | Won latest | Won 3 of previous 4 | Even |
| Venue suitability | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Pitch suitability | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Fielding | Strong | Strong | Even |
| Squad availability | Some key absences | Strong | South Australia |
| Home advantage | Yes | No | Victoria |
The main reason for Victoria’s narrow match-winning edge is their immediate performance in the first meeting. Chasing 291, they did not merely survive; they reached 293/8 with three balls remaining after Sutherland and Wareham produced major innings.
South Australia’s strongest argument is their batting. McGrath’s 154 demonstrated that the Scorpions can produce a match-defining individual performance, while Barsby’s 50 gave the innings additional stability.
The weather is the largest variable. If the match is significantly shortened, the normal advantage of a strong 50-over batting unit becomes less important and powerplay execution becomes much more influential.
Key ODI Player Matchups
| Matchup | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Annabel Sutherland vs Megan Schutt | Sutherland scored 107 in the opening match, while Schutt took 2/49. Their contest could determine whether Victoria establish another strong chase platform. |
| Tahlia McGrath vs Georgia Wareham | McGrath scored 154 in the first match, while Wareham is one of Victoria’s key middle-over bowling options. Breaking this matchup in Victoria’s favour would remove South Australia’s primary batting threat. |
| Georgia Wareham vs Amanda-Jade Wellington | Both can influence the middle overs with bat and ball. Wellington took two wickets in the first match, while Wareham scored 88. |
Key Batting & Bowling Targets
Expected Top Batter
Annabel Sutherland — her 107 in the first meeting changed the match, and her ability to contribute with the ball gives her additional influence.
Expected Top Bowler
Amanda-Jade Wellington — she took two wickets in the opening match and remains South Australia’s main middle-over spin threat.
Potential X-Factor
Georgia Wareham — her 88 in the first match showed that Victoria can receive major batting contributions from their all-round resources rather than depending exclusively on Sutherland.
Victoria Women vs SA Scorpions Women Match Prediction
Victoria Women enter the second meeting with the advantage of having already defeated South Australia at Junction Oval. The first match showed that 290 is not necessarily a winning total at this ground, with Victoria reaching 293/8 through a major partnership between Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham.
South Australia nevertheless possess enough batting quality to reverse the result, particularly after Tahlia McGrath’s 154. The biggest uncertainty is the weather, with the latest forecast indicating a high probability of rain during the afternoon.
Prediction: Victoria Women to win
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