In a dramatic rain-shortened match at Junction Oval, Melbourne Stars Women faced off against Sydney Thunder Women in the 38th game of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 11. When the skies finally cleared and the target was adjusted using the DLS method, Thunder had established a comfortable lead, finishing the match with 9 wickets in hand.
Thunder won the toss and opted to field first. The Stars started off steadily, reaching 29 without loss in just 4.2 overs before the rain hit. Openers Meg Lanning and Rhys McKenna appeared to be handling the early pressure well; McKenna looked particularly composed while Lanning contributed with some solid strokes. However, when the game resumed as a ten-over contest, the momentum shifted dramatically. The Stars struggled to rebuild their innings, losing wickets regularly and limping to a modest total of 66 for 6 in 10 overs.
In that curtailed innings, contributions were few and far between. Lanning managed only 13 runs off 17 balls before being dismissed. McKenna was the top scorer with 24 off 22 balls, while Danielle Gibson added 15 runs off 11 balls. Unfortunately for the Stars, they failed to form any significant partnerships, missing the chance to convert their promising start into a challenging total. Thunder’s bowlers applied relentless pressure, ensuring that the Stars could never regain their footing following the rain break.
On the bowling side, Thunder excelled in taking wickets, with Lucy Finn standing out by claiming 2 wickets in two overs for just 10 runs. Em Arlott and Georgia Voll also had impressive performances, each taking 2 wickets for 18 runs and 13 runs, respectively. Meanwhile, Ismail and Bates were unable to pick up any wickets.
After the revised target was set at 76 runs in 10 overs, Thunder came out swinging. The opening pair, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll, launched an aggressive chase, swiftly knocking off the target. Litchfield played a brilliant innings, scoring 37 runs off 23 balls, while Voll complemented her well with an unbeaten 33 off 18 balls. Their partnership was explosive, propelling Thunder past the 50-run mark in just 27 balls.
From that point on, the rest of Thunder’s innings was merely a formality. The Stars couldn’t put the Thunder batters under pressure, and the chase concluded smoothly, with Thunder securing victory in just 7.1 overs.
The Stars’ bowlers struggled to find their rhythm, with Annabel Sutherland being the only one to claim a wicket, taking out Litchfield while conceding 20 runs in 2 overs. Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, and Sophie Day lacked effectiveness in their bowling efforts.
For the Stars, the rain break was a significant setback, cutting short their innings and halting their momentum. They had started promisingly but failed to recover when faced with reduced overs. In stark contrast, Thunder’s chase was clinical and confident, showcasing their intent and execution. Voll’s outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
This defeat is a heavy blow for the Stars, who were sitting second on the table before this match. The match highlighted their batting vulnerabilities under pressure and their inability to string together partnerships, while Thunder demonstrated the importance of making the most of the opportunities presented in a shortened match.
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