Australia's longest domestic grand final streak could be ended this weekend, with the NSW Breakers at risk of missing the Women's National Cricket League for the first time in the competition's 22-year history.
Less than a week after the Women's Big Bash League title left NSW for the first time, the likes of Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner will return to the 50-over format for their state.
The Breakers have featured in every WNCL grand final played dating back to the competition's inception in 1996-97, a current streak not matched in Australian top-tier semi-professional or professional sporting league.
Of those 22 deciders, NSW have won 19 - including a 10-season stretch between 2005-06 and 2014-15.
But sitting third on the table with two rounds to play this weekend, the Breakers must win both their games against South Australia on Friday and the ACT on Saturday to ensure they return to next weekend's decider.
"It's a little daunting as a new captain coming in and seeing the side sit not top of the table and fighting for the finals," Healy said.
"The players coming into the squad are aware of the legacy we have and trying to protect it."
The Breakers were without their national stars - including Healy, Perry, Gardner, Rachael Haynes and Nicola Carey - when they lost to Western Australia before the WBBL break.
Tasmania and ACT - the only two teams to have never featured in a final - sit first and second on 13 and 12 points respectively with NSW on 11.
Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria also remain outside chances of qualifying.
"To see the level of the competition this year with Tasmania sitting on top who have traditionally been at the back end of the table is really cool," Healy said.
"It shows the depth we've got in this country is really there."
