The Perth Scorchers Women have made an impressive start to their T20 Spring Challenge 2025 campaign. They secured a confident five-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers Women in their opening match, chasing down a target of 128 with balls to spare. Maddy Darke’s unbeaten 75 was the standout batting display, giving the Scorchers a solid backbone to their innings.
Brisbane Heat Women have also begun the tournament with a win, showing strong all-round performances. They bowled Melbourne Renegades out for 85, and not at their convincing best, but the Heat managed a 3-wicket win with 5 balls to spare. The two teams will now lock horns in match no. 8, on October 23, at Blacktown Olympic Park No 2 Oval, Sydney, starting 4:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Perth Scorchers Women’s Cricket Team
Chloe Piparo, Katie Mack, Mikayla Hinkley, Rebecca McGrath, Amy Edgar, Paige Scholfield, Maddy Darke, Chloe Ainsworth, Ebony Hoskin, Lilly Mills, Maddie White, Ruby Strange, Shay Manolini
Brisbane Heat Women’s Cricket Team
Annie O’Neil, Clodagh Ryall, Filippa Suesee, Lucy Bourke, Ayaka Stafford, Charli Knott, Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger, Georgia Redmayne, Mikayla Wrigley, Bonnie Berry, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Nicola Hancock
Players to watch out:
Maddy Darke
Darke stole the spotlight with a sparkling unbeaten 75 off 48 balls. Her timing was flawless, and she powered through the innings with 10 boundaries. Leading from the front, she blended elegance with aggression perfectly. This knock reaffirmed her status as one of the most reliable top-order performers.
Lilly Mills
Mills made an immediate impact, picking up 3 wickets for 24 runs in her quota. Her clever changes of pace and flight troubled the top order throughout the innings. Bowling with rhythm and control, she never allowed batters to settle. It was a sharp, polished performance that lifted the Spirits’ attack.
Mikayla Wrigley
Wrigley’s unbeaten 30 showed grit and composure when her side needed a steady hand. She anchored the innings smartly, pacing her knock across 32 balls. Her ability to absorb pressure and find gaps was commendable. A measured performance that reflects maturity beyond her years.
Bonnie Berry
Berry shone brightly in her short spell, snaring 4 wickets for just 19 runs off 2.5 overs. Her accurate line and swing movement created havoc among the opposition. Every over she bowled had intent and purpose, making her the game’s difference maker. The spell perfectly showcased her knack for striking at crucial moments.
Pitch:
The pitch at Blacktown Olympic Park No 2 Oval in Sydney typically features a well-maintained grass surface conducive to balanced cricket. It is known to offer a fair contest between bat and ball with good bounce and pace, favoring fast bowlers early on while also allowing spinners to come into play as the match progresses.
Weather:
The weather forecast for Sydney indicates partly sunny conditions with mild temperatures and light breezes, making it pleasant for a complete game with minimal chances of rain disrupting play.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Charli Knott, Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger, Georgia Redmayne, Mikayla Wrigley, Bonnie Berry, Chloe Piparo, Katie Mack, Paige Scholfield, Maddy Darke, Lilly Mills
Match Details:
Date – October 23, 2025
Time – 9:00 AM IST
Venue – Blacktown Olympic Park No 2 Oval, Sydney
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on cricket.com.au.
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