The 35th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Toss
Melbourne Stars won the toss and opted to bat first.
Playing XI
Melbourne Renegades: Jemimah Rodrigues, Evelyn Jones, Carly Leeson, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jess Duffin, Sophie Molineux (c), Josephine Dooley (wk), Ellie Falconer, Rhiann O Donnell, Ella Hayward, Holly Ferling
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 Melbourne Stars 103 all out in 20 overs
Batting first, Melbourne Stars were bundled out for a modest 103 in 20 overs, as India’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur wrecked havoc with the ball scalping 3-22 in her four overs. The off-spinner opened the bowling from the other end and on her very first ball got rid of Elyse Villani (1). Kimberley Garth top scored with 32 runs off 24 balls, including three boundaries. Erin Osborne (29 runs off 36 balls) was the other major contributor with the bat. For Melbourne Renegades, apart from Kaur, captain Sophie Molineux accounted for two wickets, while Ellie Falconer, Rhiann O Donnell and Ella Hayward struck with one wicket apiece.
2nd innings Melbourne Renegades 104-3 in 14.1 overs
In reply, Melbourne Renegades made lightwork of the chase as they achieved the target in just 14.1 overs, winning the match by seven wickets. Opening bat Jemimah Rodrigues (45 runs off 38 balls) and Carly Leeson (41 runs off 33 balls) laid a solid foundation after Evelyn Jones departed without troubling the scorers. Rodrigues and Leeson put together 81 runs for the second wicket. Towards the end, Kaur played a cameo scoring an unbeaten 12 off 9 balls, including one boundary. For Melbourne Stars, Garth was the pick of the bowlers as she claimed 2-23 in her four overs.
Player of the Match
Melbourne Renegades’ captain Sophie Molineux won the player of the match for her brilliant bowling performance of 2-10 in four overs.
Next fixtures
Melbourne Stars will play against Perth Scorchers on November 10 at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, while Melbourne Renegades will lock horns against Melbourne Stars again on November 13 at the same venue.
Brief Score
Melbourne Stars 103 all out in 20 overs (K Garth 32; H Kaur 3-22) lost to Melbourne Renegades 104-3 in 14.1 overs (J Rodrigues 45; K Garth 2-23) by 7 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.