Western Australia enters the 2025-26 Women’s National Cricket League season under the leadership of head coach Becky Grundy, targeting a return to the competition’s final after finishing third on the table last year. Following an early-season slump in the previous campaign, the squad rallied to win seven consecutive matches before narrowly missing the showpiece match in a final-round loss to the ACT.
Captain Chloe Piparo and Key Batting Anchors
Captain Chloe Piparo anchors the top order after scoring 593 runs at an average of 49.41 during a stellar 2025-26 campaign. Wicketkeeper-batter Maddy Darke provides aggressive support at the crease, having contributed 429 runs at 42.90 last season. Heather Graham returns for her second consecutive summer following her Zoë Goss Medal-winning campaign, where she scored 289 runs at 36.12 and claimed 15 wickets at 27.40. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney is also scheduled to feature in the early rounds of the schedule.
Pace Attack and Spin Options
The fast-bowling unit adds depth with the acquisition of Queensland’s Ruby Strange into the 20-player squad. Strange joins a pace cartel featuring Ebony Hoskin, Chloe Ainsworth, and Taneale Peschel following her stint with the Perth Scorchers in the Weber WBBL. In the slow-bowling department, Amy Edgar returns after taking 17 wickets at an average of 15.52 across six appearances last year. Australian spinner Alana King is another potential inclusion for the early matches after appearing just twice during the previous season.
Opening Schedule and Fixtures
Western Australia opens its schedule with a single fixture before the Weber WBBL break. The side resumes tournament action on December 14 and December 16 against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval.