The 32nd match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Saturday.
Toss
Adelaide Strikers won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Playing XI
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
Adelaide Strikers: Dane van Niekerk, Katie Mack, Laura Wolvaardt, Tahlia McGrath (c), Madeline Penna, Bridget Patterson, Amanda Wellington, Tegan McPharlin (wk), Sarah Coyte, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
1st innings Melbourne Stars 126-4 in 14 overs
Batting first, Melbourne Stars posted a competitive score of 126-4 in 14 overs (match reduced to 14 overs a side). Skipper Meg Lanning smashed a brilliant 82 off 45 balls, including nine boundaries and three sixes. Her opening partner Elyse Villani chipped in with a run a ball 23 and the duo put together 63 runs in 8.2 overs. For Adelaide Strikers, leg spinner Dane van Niekerk was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 2-15 in her two overs.
Back-to-back sixes from Meg Lanning! Brings a smile to the face 😃#WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/f6T9ainbMQ
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 6, 2021
2nd innings Adelaide Strikers 89-8 in 14 overs
In reply, Adelaide Strikers could only manage to score 89-8 in 14 overs, losing the match by 37 runs. The opening pair of Dane van Niekerk and Laura Wolvaardt mustered 14 runs each, with Katie Mack also contributing 14 runs lower down the order. Adelaide Strikers kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were not able to form any big partnerships. For Melbourne Stars, Tess Flintoff, Linsey Smith, and Rhys McKenna accounted for two wickets each. Annabel Sutherland claimed one wicket.
Player of the Match
Melbourne Stars’ Meg Lanning won the player of the match for her match-winning batting performance of 82 runs off 45 balls.
Next fixtures
Melbourne Stars will play against Melbourne Renegades on November 7 at the Adelaide Oval, while Adelaide Strikers will lock horns against Sydney Thunder on November 9 at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.
Brief Score
Melbourne Stars 126-4 in 14 overs (M Lanning 82; D van Niekerk 2-15) beat Adelaide Strikers 89-8 in 14 overs (D van Niekerk 14, L Wolvaardt 14, K Mack 14; T Flintoff 2-12, L Smith 2-19, R McKenna 2-3) by 37 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.
