The 21st match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers at the Lilac Hill Park in Perth on Saturday.
Toss
Sydney Sixers won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Playing XI
Melbourne Renegades: Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Duffin, Courtney Webb, Harmanpreet Kaur, Evelyn Jones, Sophie Molineux (c), Josephine Dooley (wk), Carly Leeson, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Holly Ferling
Sydney Sixers: Alyssa Healy (wk), Shafali Verma, Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry (c), Nicole Bolton, Angela Reakes, Maitlan Brown, Radha Yadav, Claire Moore, Lauren Cheatle, Stella Campbell
1st innings Melbourne Renegades 142-7 in 20 overs
Batting first, Melbourne Renegades posted a competitive score of 142-7 in 20 overs. Opening bat Evelyn Jones (4) fell cheaply in the second over and so did number three bat Courtney Webb (9) in the fifth over. However, the Indian duo of Jemimah Rodrigues (25) and Harmanpreet Kaur (43) came together to stitch a 51-run partnership for the third wicket. Kaur was later joined by Jess Duffin, who smashed a 32-ball 41 to guide her team to a fighting total. While Kaur slammed four boundaries and a six, Duffin smashed three boundaries and two sixes in her unbeaten knock. For Sydney Sixers, it was Ashleigh Gardner, who was the top performer with the ball as she accounted for 2-8 in her two overs. Lauren Cheatle, Ellyse Perry, Stella Campbell, and Radha Yadav picked up one wicket each.
2nd innings Sydney Sixers 130-9 in 20 overs
In reply, Sydney Sixers managed to score 130-9 in 20 overs, falling short of just 12 runs. Despite the fighting effort of captain Ellye Perry (28), who opened the batting, Shafali Verma (20), and Maitlan Brown (31), Sydney Sixers could not reach the target set by Melbourne Renegades. Right arm seamer Ellie Falconer was the pick of the bowlers for Melbourne Renegades as she scalped 2-28 in her four overs. Captain Sophie Molineux, Ella Hayward and Courtney Webb struck with one wicket apiece.
Player of the Match
Melbourne Renegades’ Jess Duffin won the player of the match for her stellar innings of 41 not out off 32 balls.
Next fixtures
Melbourne Renegades will play against Adelaide Strikers on October 31 at the Lilac Hill Park in Perth, while Sydney Sixers will lock horns against Perth Scorchers on the same date and at the same venue.
Brief Score
Melbourne Renegades 142-7 in 20 overs (H Kaur 43; A Gardner 2-8) beat Sydney Sixers 130-9 in 20 overs (M Brown 31; E Falconer 2-28) by 12 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.
