The second match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 in Melbourne delivered an absolute thriller filled with powerful strokes, crucial partnerships, and intense bowling spells. Winning the toss and facing the early pressure, the Melbourne Stars Women innings started with openers Rhys McKenna and captain Meg Lanning.
The partnership was broken early when Chinelle Henry struck to remove Rhys McKenna for 13 runs off 10 balls, with the team score at 26/1 in 2.6 overs. Amy Jones joined Meg Lanning at the crease, but Heather Graham provided a breakthrough by trapping Amy Jones leg-before-wicket for 7 runs, leaving the side at 51/2 in 6.1 overs. Following this early wobble, a magnificent partnership blossomed between Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland. They steered the innings masterfully, adding heavy runs to the scoreboard before Heather Graham claimed her second wicket by dismissing Meg Lanning for a brilliant 71 runs off 52 deliveries at 160/3 in 17.1 overs.
Just shortly after, Lauren Smith bowled Annabel Sutherland for a stellar 57 runs off 36 balls, reducing the batting side to 165/4 in 17.4 overs. Dani Gibson with an explosive 22* off 11 balls and Kim Garth with 6* guided the team through the death overs. The Melbourne Stars Women finished their 20 overs strong, posting 192/4. Reviewing the bowling attack for Hobart Hurricanes Women, Heather Graham picked up 2/31 in her 4 overs, while Chinelle Henry took 1/25 and Lauren Smith grabbed 1/30. Molly Strano (0/38), Nicola Carey (0/41), and Ira Aery (0/24) toiled hard through their respective spells.
Chasing a target of 193 runs, the Hobart Hurricanes Women innings began with Lizelle Lee and Chamari Athapaththu. Kim Garth struck early for the bowling side, removing Chamari Athapaththu for 10 runs as the score read 24/1 in 2.4 overs. Rachel Trenaman entered next, anchoring a crucial partnership alongside Lizelle Lee up to the 8.3 over mark, where Annabel Sutherland dismissed Rachel Trenaman for 24 runs with the total at 83/2. Kim Garth struck again to remove the dangerous Lizelle Lee, who scored a blistering 57 runs off 33 balls, leaving the team at 108/3 in 10.4 overs.
The middle-order fight continued as captain Nicola Carey and Heather Graham stitched together another valuable stand. Charlie Dean broke this momentum by bowling Heather Graham for 20 runs at 138/4 in 14.1 overs. Annabel Sutherland returned to the attack to dismiss Maddy Green for 5 runs at 149/5 in 15.6 overs. In a dramatic collapse toward the end, Annabel Sutherland removed Nicola Carey, who fought hard for 32 runs, and Ruth Johnston for a duck in consecutive deliveries during the 18th over, sinking the score to 163/7. Dani Gibson then joined the wicket-taking party, getting rid of Lauren Smith for 5 runs at 168/8 in 19.2 overs.
Chinelle Henry with 11* and Molly Strano with 1* remained unbeaten as Hobart Hurricanes Women closed their innings at 174/8 in 20 overs, falling short. Annabel Sutherland led the bowling charge for Melbourne Stars Women with stellar figures of 3/34, ably supported by Kim Garth (2/36) and Dani Gibson (2/29), alongside Charlie Dean who chipped in economically with 1/13. Sophie Day (0/28), Carly Leeson (0/12), and Maisy Gibson (0/19) also contributed with the ball, securing an 18-run victory for the Stars.
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