The 19th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Wednesday.
Toss
Melbourne Renegades won the toss and opted to bat first.
Playing XI
Melbourne Renegades: Jemimah Rodrigues, Makinley Blows, Courtney Webb, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jess Duffin, Sophie Molineux (c), Carly Leeson, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Josephine Dooley (wk), Holly Ferling
Sydney Thunder: Smriti Mandhana, Tahlia Wilson (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Corinne Hall, Anika Learoyd, Deepti Sharma, Hannah Darlington (c), Lauren Smith, Isabelle Wong, Kate Peterson, Samantha Bates
1st innings Melbourne Renegades 142-5 in 20 overs
Batting first, Melbourne Renegades posted a competitive score of 142-5 in 20 overs, thanks to their opening bat Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored a brilliant 75 not out. The right hand bat slammed nine boundaries in her 56-ball knock. She stitched an 84-run partnership with her opening partner Josephine Dooley (37) in 11.1 overs for the first wicket. Jess Duffin was the other contributor with the bat scoring 11 off 13 balls. For Sydney Thunder, Samantha Bates, Deepti Sharma, Hannah Darlington and Kate Peterson struck with one wicket apiece.
2nd innings Sydney Thunder 133-8 in 20 overs
In reply, Sydney Thunder fought hard as they scored 133-8 in 20 overs, falling short of just nine runs. Their opening bat Smriti Mandhana top scored with a brisk 64 off just 44 balls. The southpaw plundered four boundaries and a six during her entertaining knock. Towards the end, it was Deepti Sharma, who mustered an unbeaten 23 off just 10 balls. However, the Indian all-rounder was not able to see her side home. She hit four boundaries in that cameo. For Melbourne Renegades, Courtney Webb was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 3-21 in her three overs.
Player of the Match
Melbourne Renegades’ Jemimah Rodrigues won the player of the match for her stellar knock of 75 not out off 56 balls.
Next fixtures
Melbourne Renegades will play against Sydney Sixers on October 30 at the Lilac Hill Park in Perth, while Sydney Thunder will lock horns against Melbourne Stars on October 30 at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
Brief Score
Melbourne Renegades 142-5 in 20 overs (J Rodrigues 75 not out; S Bates 1-16) beat Sydney Thunder 133-8 in 20 overs (S Mandhana 64; C Webb 3-21) by 9 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.