The 16th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday.
Toss
Sydney Thunder won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Playing XI
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine (c), Beth Mooney (wk), Chamari Athapaththu, Mathilda Carmichael, Heather Graham, Lisa Griffith, Marizanne Kapp, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo
Sydney Thunder: Smriti Mandhana, Tahlia Wilson (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Corinne Hall, Anika Learoyd, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Deepti Sharma, Hannah Darlington (c), Lauren Smith, Isabelle Wong, Samantha Bates
1st innings Perth Scorchers 186-2 in 20 overs
Riding on captain Sophie Devine’s scintillating century, Perth Scorchers posted a mammoth 186-2 in 20 overs. Devine and her opening partner Beth Mooney stitched a 173-run partnership for the first wicket in 18.5 overs. The right-hand-left-hand combination smashed the Sydney Thunder bowlers all around the park. While Devine (101 runs off 60 balls) clobbered eight boundaries and half a dozen sixes, Mooney (65 runs off 54 balls) smashed six boundaries. Sri Lanka’s skipper Chamari Atapaththu plundered an unbeaten 12 off 6, including two boundaries, during the fag end of the innings. For Sydney Thunder, Isabelle Wong and Hannah Darlington were the wicket-takers striking with one wicket apiece.
Stop everything you are doing and watch Sophie Devine batting now 🔥🙌#WBBL2021 #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/ZoRzK40b60
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 24, 2021
2nd innings Sydney Thunder 105-9 in 20 overs
In reply, Sydney Thunder could only manage to score 105-9 in 20 overs, losing the match by 81 runs. Only four out of the 11 batters could muster scores in double digits. Tahlia Wilson (15), Phoebe Litchfield (24), Deepti Sharma (20) and Lauren Smith (17 not out) were the major contributors with the bat. For Perth Scorchers, it was the leg spinner Alana King, who wrecked havoc as she scalped 4-11 in her four overs. Lisa Griffith chipped in with a couple of wickets, while Lilly Mills, Marizanne Kapp and Heather Graham accounted for one dismissal each.
Player of the Match
Perth Scorchers’ Sophie Devine won the player of the match for her stellar knock of 101 off just 60 balls (4s: 8, 6s: 6)
Next fixtures
Perth Scorchers will play against Adelaide Strikers on October 30 at the Lilac Hill Park in Perth, while Sydney Thunder will lock horns against Melbourne Stars on October 26 at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
Brief Score
Perth Scorchers 186-2 in 20 overs (S Devine 101; I Wong 1-24, H Darlington 1-35) beat Sydney Thunder 105-9 in 20 overs (P Litchfield 24; A King 4-11) by 81 runs
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
