Perth Scorchers Women produced a commanding performance with both bat and ball to register a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Melbourne Renegades Women in the fifth match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 at the WACA on October 31, 2026. After restricting the Renegades to 136/6 in their allotted 20 overs, the Scorchers chased down the target with remarkable ease, reaching 138/1 in just 13.3 overs. Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine led the run chase with unbeaten half-century contributions, ensuring Perth secured the victory with 39 balls remaining.
Batting first, Melbourne Renegades endured a difficult start as Perth Scorchers’ bowling attack immediately put them under pressure. Hayley Matthews managed just seven runs from nine deliveries before Chloe Ainsworth dismissed her, with Freya Kemp completing the catch in the 2.5th over. The early breakthrough was followed by another setback when captain Sophie Molineux departed for just one run off three balls, caught by Kemp off Fatima Sana’s bowling in the following over. Courtney Webb also struggled to get going, scoring six from nine deliveries before being bowled by Ainsworth in the 4.1st over. With the score reading 16/3, the Renegades found themselves in serious trouble during the powerplay.
Tess Flintoff and wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum attempted to stabilise the innings, but the partnership could not gather momentum. Flintoff managed only two runs from eight deliveries before Alana King trapped her lbw in the 5.1st over, leaving Melbourne at 20/4. With four wickets down inside the first six overs, the responsibility fell on Faltum and Georgia Wareham to rescue their side.
The duo delivered an excellent recovery effort, putting together a crucial 109-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Faltum played the supporting role initially, showing patience and composure while Wareham took the attack to the opposition. Wareham was particularly impressive, striking eight boundaries and a six during her explosive innings of 62 from just 39 deliveries. Her aggressive approach helped the Renegades rebuild their innings and move towards a competitive total.
Faltum also contributed significantly, scoring 48 off 49 deliveries with four boundaries. However, the important partnership finally ended in the 18.6th over when Wareham was caught by Fatima Sana off Sophie Devine’s bowling, with the scoreboard reading 129/5. Faltum followed soon after, bowled by Sana for 48 in the 19.5th over. Deandra Dottin and Chloe Tryon remained unbeaten on five and one respectively, helping the Renegades finish at 136/6 in 20 overs. Four extras were added to the total.
For Perth Scorchers, Chloe Ainsworth and Fatima Sana were the leading wicket-takers, claiming two wickets apiece. Ainsworth finished with figures of 2/22 from four overs, while Sana returned 2/27, including one maiden, in her four-over spell. Alana King picked up one wicket, conceding 35 runs in four overs, while Sophie Devine claimed the important wicket of Wareham, finishing with 1/21 from three overs. Amy Edgar was economical with figures of 0/18 in three overs, while Lilly Mills conceded just 12 runs in her two overs without taking a wicket.
In reply, Perth Scorchers began their chase with Katie Mack and captain Beth Mooney at the crease. The opening partnership was relatively short-lived, as Mack was dismissed for nine off 11 deliveries, including a boundary, after being bowled by Tayla Vlaeminck in the 2.4th over. With just 14 runs on the board, the Scorchers needed a steady partnership to maintain control of the chase.
Sophie Devine joined Mooney in the middle, and the pair completely changed the complexion of the contest. The duo combined aggression with excellent shot selection, putting the Renegades’ bowling attack under relentless pressure. Mooney looked in complete control, rotating the strike effectively and finding the boundary regularly. She brought up an unbeaten 58 off 40 deliveries, striking nine fours and maintaining a strike rate of 145.00.
At the other end, Devine was equally impressive, producing an entertaining unbeaten knock of 47 from just 32 balls. Her innings included four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 146.87. The pair added an unbeaten 124-run partnership for the second wicket, taking Perth Scorchers comfortably past the target without allowing Melbourne Renegades an opportunity to fight their way back into the contest.
The Scorchers reached 138/1 in just 13.3 overs, completing the chase with nine wickets in hand and 39 balls remaining. An additional 24 runs came through extras, including seven leg-byes, two no-balls and 15 wides, further easing Perth’s pursuit. Mooney and Devine remained unbeaten to guide their side to a dominant victory.
For Melbourne Renegades, Tayla Vlaeminck was the only successful bowler, claiming one wicket for 29 runs in four overs. However, she conceded seven wides and one no-ball. Milly Illingworth gave away 23 runs in two overs, while Sophie Molineux conceded 27 in three overs. Georgia Wareham went for 19 runs in 1.3 overs, while Hayley Matthews conceded 10 runs in her solitary over. Deandra Dottin also struggled to contain the scoring, conceding 23 runs in two overs, including three wides and a no-ball.
The result highlighted Perth Scorchers’ all-round dominance, with their bowling unit recovering from Wareham and Faltum’s impressive partnership before their top order delivered a clinical run chase. While Georgia Wareham’s half-century and Nicole Faltum’s valuable contribution helped Melbourne Renegades recover from an early collapse, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine ensured there was no late drama. Perth Scorchers sealed a convincing nine-wicket win in WBBL 12, making a strong statement with their dominant performance at the WACA.
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