Winfield-Hill Delivers For Fire

The former English international's unbeaten 101no saw Queensland win another hard-fought win, defeating a valiant ACT by two wickets with five balls remaining.

In front of an enthusiastic Allan Border Field crowd, the Fire finished with 8-278 to overcome the Meteors which scored 8-277, led by former Brisbane player Annie Wikman's 59 and 60no from ex-Fire player Zoe Cooke.

Coming to the crease at number six, and with the home team teetering at 5-76 in the 18th over, Winfield-Hill had a mountain to scale after the ACT Meteors had scored 8-277 from their 50 overs in a strong start to their WNCL campaign.

But with the score at 6-108, Winfield-Hill, now in her third full season with Queensland, found a willing partner in the shape of in-form batter Mikayla Wrigley, who hit her highest score in the WNCL to date as part of a 127-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Wrigley was dismissed for 56 in the 43rd over, allowing Winfield-Hill to bat with Lucy Hamilton (5) and Nic Hancock (15no) to chase down the target.

It was Winfield-Hill's highest score for Queensland, eclipsing her previous best of 65.

It was the third hard-fought win by the Fire, which overcame WA in their opening two games in Perth, with another impressive run-chase of 272 the centre-piece of their second win season of the season.

WInfield-Hill said afterwards that she was enjoying playing in a different role to what she has best known for, traditionally in the top order.

"Its a different role for me coming into the midde to lower order and batting in a way that I haven't done for a while. But I am enjoying the extra pressure and knowing what the role is for me.

"It was really special for me actually. I haven't scored a century for a little while now, so it was wonderful to score my first one for Queensland in these circumstances."

Winfield-Hill praised the effort of Wrigley, who continued a recent purple patch with the bat.

"She has thoroughly earned her spot in the team with the runs she's scored.

I've noticed in the nets with her that she is really calm and assured and that's a sign of playing with confidence. Today she came out, absorbed presssure and then knew when to reapply it."

The two teams meet again on Tuesday at Allan Border Field, with today's win lifting the Fire to within one win from top spot on the WNCL ladder.