At the Blacktown Olympic Park No 2 Oval in Sydney, fans were treated to an entertaining match between Melbourne Renegades Women and Adelaide Strikers Women during the T20 Spring Challenge 2025-26. After winning the toss, the Renegades opted to field first, and their bowlers delivered a disciplined performance that set the stage for a straightforward chase.
The Strikers began their innings cautiously, with their openers facing a challenging bowling attack from the Renegades that kept the run-rate low. The first spark of momentum came from Madeline Penna, who played a tidy innings of 23 runs off 27 balls, hitting a couple of boundaries. However, it was Amanda-Jade Wellington who really kicked things into gear, racing to 26 off just 17 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Together, Penna and Wellington established a solid foundation for the Strikers.
Wellington’s partnership with Ella Wilson added further excitement as they put on 28 runs off just 15 balls, with Wilson showcasing some impressive stroke play. Their efforts helped the Strikers cross the 100-run mark, but Wilson’s run-out at 28 saw a shift of momentum. As the innings went on, the Strikers faced a few more setbacks, losing two more wickets in the closing overs.
Though JL Barsby managed to hold up the tail with an unbeaten score of 8 off 6 balls, the Strikers finished their 20 overs at 128 for 8. Credit goes to the Renegades’ bowlers, especially Zoe Samuel, Emma de Broughe and Tess Flintoff, who both picked up two wickets and kept the Strikers from posting a more daunting total.
Chasing 129, the Renegades approached their innings with purpose and assurance. Opener Emma de Broughe played a pivotal role, anchoring the innings with a composed knock of 54 off 39 balls, where her timing and shot selection kept the pressure off early on. A solid partnership was formed between her and Nicole Faltum, who contributed 18 runs off 15 balls, adding a steady 30-odd runs before Faltum fell at 119/3.
Once Faltum was out, the pressure seemed to lift for the Renegades. Tess Flintoff then took charge, delivering an explosive 21* runs off just 12 balls to finish the chase in style. The Renegades reached their target comfortably in just 15 overs, with seven wickets in hand and 30 balls to spare.
Amanda-Jade Wellington, Jemma Barsby, and Isabella Malgioglio were the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers, who claimed a wicket each. However, feel short collectively of defending a modest total.
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