In an exciting Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 11 contest at the W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth Scorchers Women showcased their resilience and batting prowess to chase down the target set by Brisbane Heat Women successfully. This thrilling encounter will be remembered for an impressive chase led by Beth Mooney, complemented by key contributions from her teammates.
Winning the toss, Brisbane Heat Women opted to bat first but faced early struggles. Their top order faltered, and skipper Charli Knott couldn’t get going, leaving the team in need of a steadying presence. Georgia Redmayne stepped up to the challenge, crafting a composed innings of 57 runs off 47 balls, which helped the Heat navigate the powerplay and move into the middle overs.
She found support in Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sianna Ginger, who added 25 off 19 balls and 24 off 17 balls respectively, injecting some much-needed momentum into the innings. A late burst from Annie O’Neil, with a rapid 24 off just 9 balls, including 1 four and 2 sixes, gave the total an exciting boost. Although wickets fell at crucial moments, the Heat managed to post a competitive score of 164/7 in their 20 overs, setting a challenging target for the Scorchers.
On the bowling front for the Scorchers, Lilly Mills stood out, taking two important wickets for 23 runs, effectively slowing the Heat’s scoring during key phases. Alana King also contributed with 2 wickets for 40 runs, while Chloe Ainsworth and Sophie Devine each added a wicket to their tally, ensuring the Heat never felt entirely comfortable.
When it was the Scorchers’ turn to chase 165, the innings started quietly but steadily. Opening batter Katie Mack made a modest contribution with 10 runs off 13 balls before being dismissed by Sarah Glenn. However, the early wicket didn’t disrupt the Scorchers’ mindset. Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a phenomenal 94* off 61, filled with 12 boundaries that highlighted her mix of control and aggression.
When Maddy Darke joined her, they built a crucial partnership of 67 runs from 49 balls that shifted the momentum firmly in favour of the Scorchers. Darke added a solid 24 off 22 balls, keeping the run rate healthy as the innings progressed. With Darke’s wicket, captain Sophie Devine stepped in to play a vital support role, contributing a quick 13 off 14.
Freya Kemp then came in to relieve some pressure on Mooney with a swift 12* off just 6 balls. As the match neared its conclusion, Mooney kept her composure, steering the Scorchers to victory with just a few balls to spare, reaching the target with four balls to spare. The Heat’s bowling lineup put in a commendable effort.
Apart from Glenn’s two early wickets and her 46 runs given in four overs, Lucy Hamilton and Sianna Ginger maintained good discipline in their deliveries, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Scorchers’ charge.
Beth Mooney’s exceptional performance not only secured a 7-wicket victory over Brisbane Heat Women but also secured the Scorchers a spot in the finals. Their solid partnerships, disciplined bowling, and composed approach to finishing made all the difference in this exhilarating match.
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