The 27th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars at the Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday.
Toss
Brisbane Heat won the toss and opted to bat first.
Playing XI
Brisbane Heat: Grace Harris, Georgia Redmayne (wk), Laura Kimmince, Georgia Voll, Jess Jonassen (c), Mikayla Hinkley, Nadine de Klerk, Charli Knott, Nicola Hancock, Courtney Grace Sippel, Poonam Yadav
Melbourne Stars: Elyse Villani, Meg Lanning (c), Annabel Sutherland, Maia Bouchier, Kim Garth, Erin Osborne, Nicole Faltum (wk), Tess Flintoff, Linsey Smith, Sophie Day, Rhys McKenna
1st innings – Brisbane Heat 95-9 in 20 overs
Batting first, Brisbane Heat had an ordinary outing as they scored only 95-9 in 20 overs. Only three players, namely, Grace Harris (28), Mikayla Hinkley (20) and Nicola Hancock (11), out of the total 11 players, were able to score in double digits. On the other hand, Melbourne Stars’ bowlers had a wonderful day as they restricted Brisbane Heat to a paltry score. Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 3-21 in her four overs. Giving her company were Kimberley Garth and Tess Flintoff, who accounted for two wickets each, while Linsey Smith and Erin Osborne struck with one wicket apiece.
2nd innings – Melbourne Stars 99-2 in 16.4 overs
In reply, Melbourne Stars made light work of the chase as they achieved the target in 16.4 overs, winning the match by eight wickets. Ellyse Villani (26), Meg Lanning (27 not out) and Maia Bouchier (32 not out) completed the formalities as they played some breathtaking shots to steer their side home. For Brisbane Heat, Courtney Sippel and Nicola Hancock were the wicket-takers as they picked up onw wicket each.
Player of the Match
Melbourne Stars’ Tess Flintoff won the player of the match for her match-winning bowling performance of 2-21 in four overs.
Next fixtures
Brisbane Heat will play against Melbourne Renegades on November 6 at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, while Melbourne Stars will lock horns against Adelaide Strikers on the same date and at the same venue.
Brief Score
Brisbane Heat 95-9 in 20 overs (G Harris 28; A Sutherland 3-21) lost to Melbourne Stars 99-2 in 16.4 overs (M Bouchier 32 not out; N Hancock 1-14, C Sippel 1-18) by 8 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.
