Find out how Mackay locals competing with Brolgas are performing at Australian Country Cricket Championships

Four Mackay-Whitsunday women’s cricketers have helped Queensland book their spot in the Australian Country Cricket championships grand final.

The four Mackay-Whitsundays women who are through to yet another Australian Country Cricket Championship grand final. Picture: Mackay-Whitsunday Facebook page.

Queensland Brolgas are through to yet another Australian Country Championships women’s grand final, defeating NSW in the semi-final by seven wickets.

Despite losing to their finals opponents in both of their pool matches, the Brolgas lifted when it mattered most, bowling NSW out for 84 off the back of a 5 wicket haul from Tarah Staines.

Mackay-Whitsundays all-rounder Meghan McCartney also had herself a day out, picking up 1/17 from her four overs before producing a match-winning knock of 30 (33) to lift her side to victory.

Their arrival on the big stage comes after they fought back from suffering two losses to open their tournament, going 6-2 across the final eight matches to finish third on the ladder and book their place in the finals series.

Find out how all the rounds played out below, as the women get set to go for a 1.15pm grand final today.

The 2024 championship-winning Brolgas side.. Picture: Supplied

Team captain Taylah Schutt, McCartney, Elisha Holdsworth and Kiana Dunn are the Mackay-Whitsundays representatives competing for the Brolgas in the tournament in South Australia’s Barossa Valley.

Round 10

It was an utterly dominant performance from Queensland to finish up the tournament, as they bowled out West Australia for just 30 and chased down the runs inside four overs.

The Mackay-Whitsunday contingent again wasn’t called on to do a great deal, but nonetheless will have remained fresh for their finals campaign which begins on Friday.

Meghan McCartney and the Queensland Country Cricket Brolgas are set to go for the National Titles in January 2025. Picture: Supplied

Round 9

Queensland got over the line against South Australia, securing a tight 11-run victory in the penultimate round of the tournament.

The Mackay-Whitsunday players weren’t able to have much influence with bat or ball, however Dunn and Schutt each took a catch during the run chase.

Round 8

The Brolgas got themselves on the winners list against the East Asia-Pacific squad, besting them by 19 runs.

Kiana Dunn had an impact with both bat and ball, making 6 not out in her first opportunity of note with the bat, before picking up a wicket during their opposition’s run chase.

Holdsworth also contributed a handy 11 (10) up the order.

Round 7

The women struggled in their outing against Victoria, set a target of 113 to win before being bowled out for 70 to ultimately lose by 42 runs.

McCartney made the biggest contribution among the Mackay group with her four overs going for 20 runs without a wicket.

Taylah Schutt (right) pictured with teammate Emma Jackson at the recent Queensland championships. Mackay's Schutt will captain the Queensland Country Cricket Brolgas in their January 2025 tournament. Picture: Supplied

Round 6

The women’s three-game winning streak came to an end when they came up against NSW for the second time, as they were unable to chase down their target of 95, losing by 16 runs.

McCartney was Mackay-Whitsunday’s best contributor, notching up 14 with the bat as an opener, while also taking 1/15 from her three overs.

Round 5

Queensland was able to keep it rolling as they approached the midway point of the competition, besting WA by five wickets with an over to spare in their closest battle so far.

The Mackay contingent took a backseat with the ball, however Schutt was once again critical with the bat as she scored 21 and partnered with their key batter in Taylor Stumer (48*) to steer the team to victory.

Round 4

The Brolgas continued their turn of fortune with another victory in round 4, defeating South Australia by three wickets with almost four overs to spare on Sunday.

It was McCartney’s turn to take centre stage with the ball on this occasion, as she picked up 2/17 from four overs to help restrict SA to a measly total of 85.

The Mackay contingent were also key players in the field, with McCartney helping to affect a run out while Holdsworth and Schutt each took a catch.

Schutt was able to bring her side home with a knock of 15 not out off 26.

Round 3

With a must-win game looming for the Brolgas, they were able to get the job done against the East Asia-Pacific squad, making 7/96 before rolling their opposition for just 58.

Schutt once again contributed with the bat, notching up 16 off 25 deliveries, while Dunn once again picked up a pair of scalps but was far more economical on this occasion, taking 2/6 off three overs with a maiden.

McCartney also got in on the action, taking a wicket from her three overs with the ball.

Round 2

The Brolgas’ rocky start to their title defence continued as they were handily beaten by Victoria by eight wickets with almost five overs to spare.

Mackay’s players had a bit more to contribute this time around, with Schutt being their second top-scorer with 17 (30) while Dunn picked up a pair of wickets from her two overs and finished with figures of 2/17.

Round 1

Queensland was defeated by 26 runs in round 1 when they took on NSW, with the Brolgas only mustering 9/91 in reply to NSW’s target of 118.

Mackay’s crop of players played a small role in the game, with Meghan McCartney proving the most influential as she produced a knock of 16 not out down the order along with bowling one over without a wicket.