The 26th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades at the Lilac Hill Park in Perth on Sunday.
Toss
Adelaide Strikers won the toss and opted to bat first.
Playing XI
Adelaide Strikers: Dane van Niekerk, Katie Mack, Laura Wolvaardt, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Amanda Wellington, Tegan McPharlin (wk), Sarah Coyte, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
Melbourne Renegades: Jemimah Rodrigues, Evelyn Jones, Jess Duffin, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sophie Molineux (c), Josephine Dooley (wk), Carly Leeson, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Holly Ferling, Rhiann O Donnell
1st innings Adelaide Strikers 160-5 in 20 overs
Batting first, Adelaide Strikers posted a healthy total of 160-5 in 20 overs, thanks to Dane van Niekerk’s 62 off 47 balls and Laura Wolvaardt’s 47 off 35 balls. The South African duo put together 73 runs for the second wicket after losing Katie Mack (19) in the seventh over. Towards the end, Bridget Patterson played a cameo as she scored an unbeaten 11 off 5, hitting one boundary. For Melbourne Renegades, Harmanpreet Kaur was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 2-31 in her four overs. Skipper Sophie Molineux, Ellie Falconer and Carly Leeson struck with one wicket apiece.
73* Runs off just 46 balls today (3*4s, 5*6s)
Harmanpreet Kaur is having a fantastic season at WBBL so far.#WBBL2021 #WBBL07
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 31, 2021
2nd innings Melbourne Renegades 162-4 in 19.4 overs
In reply, Melbourne Renegades chased down the score in 19.4 overs, winning the match by six wickets. First with the ball and then with the bat, India’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur showed why she is the best in the business as she crafted a masterclass 73 off 46 balls to see her side home. The right-hand middle-order bat slammed three boundaries and five sixes in her entertaining knock. Jemimah Rodrigues (27) and Josephine Dooley (29) were the other major contributors with the bat. For Adelaide Strikers, Megan Schutt was the most successful bowler as she accounted for 2-18 in her four overs. Tahlia McGrath and Sarah Coyte chipped in with one wicket each.
Blessing your Sunday timeline with some vintage Harmanpreet Kaur show 😍
She hit 5 sixes in a winning run-chase today.
Watch 👇#WBBL07 #WBBL2021pic.twitter.com/khNpCLctTs
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 31, 2021
Player of the Match
Melbourne Renegades’ Harmanpreet Kaur won the player of the match for her stellar all-round performance. The right hand bat scored an unbeaten 73 runs off 46 balls and picked up 2-31 in her four overs, bowling right arm off spin.
Next fixtures
Adelaide Strikers will play against Melbourne Stars on November 6 at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, while Melbourne Renegades will lock horns against Perth Scorchers on November 3 at the WACA in Perth.
Brief Score
Adelaide Strikers 160-5 in 20 overs (D van Niekerk 62; H Kaur 2-31) lost to Melbourne Renegades 162-4 in 19.4 overs (H Kaur 73 not out; M Schutt 2-18) by 6 wickets
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.