The 39th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Wednesday.
Toss
Melbourne Stars won the toss and opted to bat 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
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine (c), Beth Mooney (wk), Chamari Athapaththu, Mathilda Carmichael, Heather Graham, Lisa Griffith, Marizanne Kapp, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo
1st innings Melbourne Stars 97-9 in 20 overs
Batting first, Melbourne Stars managed to score only 97-9 in 20 overs as Perth Scorchers’ bowlers had a wonderful outing. Captain Sophie Devine, Alana King and Heather Graham claimed two wickets apiece to tame Melbourne Stars’ batters from scoring. Marizanne Kapp and Lilly Mills also chipped in one wicket. For Melbourne Stars, middle-order bat Kimberley Garth top-scored with run a ball 31, including five boundaries. Opening bat Elyse Villani was the other major contributor with the bat, registering 16 runs off 21 balls, including two boundaries.
2nd innings Perth Scorchers 98-0 in 10.5 overs
In reply, Perth Scorchers made lightwork of the chase as they raced to the target in just 10.5 overs, winning the match by 10 wickets. The prolific opening pair of Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney completed the formalities clinically to see their side home. While Devine muscled 35 runs off 27 balls, Mooney plundered 57 runs off 38 balls. The duo hit as many as 14 boundaries and one six between them. On the other hand, Melbourne Stars’ bowlers had an off day as they failed to pick up even a single wicket.
Sophie Devine smacks a six onto the hill at Karen Rolton Oval! Sounds familiar…
Strikers move to 0-71 after 7 overs #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/ogcmPuwDKH
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 10, 2021
Player of the Match
Perth Scorchers’ Sophie Devine won the player of the match for her all-round performance. The right-hand bat scored 35 not out off 27 balls and bowling right-arm medium pace she scalped 2-11 in her three overs, including one maiden.
Next fixtures
Melbourne Stars will play against Melbourne Renegades on November 13 at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, while Perth Scorchers will lock horns against Sydney Thunder on November 11 at the same venue.
Brief Score
Melbourne Stars 97-9 in 20 overs (K Garth 31; S Devine 2-11, A King 2-18, H Graham 2-19) lost to Perth Scorchers (B Mooney 57 not out, S Devine 35 not out) by 10 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.