We are into the second day of the 9th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League, the first double-header day of the tournament. Earlier in the day, the Brisbane Heat led by skipper Jess Jonassen survived the late surge by Georgia Wareham to seal a 6-run victory to kickstart their tournament on a high note. Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn (4/23) was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning spell.
Hobart Hurricanes led by skipper Heather Graham came up against the Perth Scorchers led by skipper Sophie Devine in the third game of the season. Hobart Hurricanes skipper Heather Graham won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, the Perth Scorchers openers got off to a good start scoring at over seven runs per over before the off-spinner Molly Strano deceived the wicket-keeper batter Beth Mooney and Lizelle Lee whipped the bails off behind the stumps to provide the first breakthrough for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Maddy Darke joined Lauren Winfield-Hill at the crease and the duo stitched a 22-run partnership for the second wicket before the Hobart Hurricanes skipper Heather Graham cleaned up Maddy Darke to provide the second breakthrough for her side. The Perth Scorchers skipper Sophie Devine joined Lauren Winfield-Hill at the crease and the duo failed to build on the momentum as they lost the wicket of the opening batter Lauren Winfield-Hill for almost a run-a-ball 27 courtesy of a run-out.
Amy Jones joined skipper Sophie Devine at the crease and the duo stitched an impressive 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Maisey Gibson trapped Amy Jones on the pads plumb in front to provide a much-needed breakthrough for the Hobart Hurricanes. The Perth Scorchers eventually ended up with a massive total of 186/4 in their quota of overs. Skipper Sophie Devine (87 off 44 balls) was the top performer with the bat, scoring at a mind-boggling strike rate (197.72) of around 200.
SHOT!!!
Sophie Devine clears the boundary with an exceptional SIX!💥#CricketTwitter #WBBL pic.twitter.com/l3g7XNnLds
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 20, 2023
Chasing a target of 187, the Hobart Hurricanes openers failed to provide a good start and were in deep trouble at 19/4 in the fifth over of the run chase courtesy of a top order collapse triggered by Australia’s superstar from the under-19 World Cup squad Chloe Ainsworth. She picked up two massive wickets by dismissing wicket-keeper batter Lizelle Lee and skipper Heather Graham, making a mark on her Women’s Big Bash League debut, pushing the Hobart Hurricanes on the back foot with a double strike in the first over of the run chase.
Molly Strano joined Ruth Johnston at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket before the leg-spinner Alana King deceived Ruth Johnston and the wicket-keeper Beth Mooney completed an easy catch behind the stumps to break the partnership and provide Alana King her first wicket of the day. Tabatha Saville joined Molly Starno at the crease and the duo stitched a 15-run partnership for the 6th wicket before Stella Campbell cleaned up Tabatha Saville to get her first wicket of the day.
Perth Scorchers start their campaign with a thumping 98-run victory against Hobart Hurricanes! 🔥#CricketTwitter #WBBL | 📸: Getty pic.twitter.com/cwqZOIgXXI
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 20, 2023
The Hobart Hurricanes were eventually bundled out for 88 with 25 balls to spare, as the lower order crumbled and they lost their last four wickets for just eight runs. Stella Campbell and Alana King cleaned up the tail. Molly Strano (37 off 30 balls), scoring at a strike rate of 123.33 was the top performer with the bat for the Hobart Hurricanes. Chloe Ainsworth (2/10) and Alana King (3/19) were the top performers with the ball for the Perth Scorchers, playing a crucial role in helping their side seal a massive 98-run victory to kick start their campaign on a flying note.
The Perth Scorchers skipper Sophie Devine was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round show in the match scoring (87 off 44 balls) with the bat laying the foundation of a massive total and then returning with the figures of (1/14) in her 2-overs spell with the ball.