In an exciting knockout match at the W.A.C.A., Perth Scorchers Women triumphed over Melbourne Stars Women by 28 runs, securing their place in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 11 Challenger. It was a well-paced innings and some precise bowling that swung the game in Perth’s favour, allowing them to withstand a spirited Stars chase, which ultimately fell short.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, skipper Sophie Devine’s decision quickly reaped rewards. The openers, Katie Mack and Beth Mooney, formed a strong partnership that set the tone for the innings. Together, they put on a remarkable 107-run stand, with Mack scoring a brisk 52 off 39 balls, while Mooney contributed a solid 45 off 38. Their strong start laid a perfect foundation, enabling the rest of the team to build on their momentum.
Freya Kemp added a quickfire 35 runs off 19 balls, and Maddy Darke finished things off with an impressive 16 not out from just 5 deliveries. Thanks to their solid opening, the Scorchers accelerated in the middle overs, piling on the pressure against the Stars’ bowlers and setting a daunting total of 173 for 5 from their 20 overs, far above what seemed reasonable for the batting conditions at the W.A.C.A.
Melbourne Stars struggled to make early breakthroughs, which allowed the Scorchers to settle in. Rhys McKenna was their standout bowler, claiming two wickets for 26 runs in 3 overs, while Maisy Gibson also took two wickets, finishing with figures of 2 for 15 from 2 overs. Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland chipped in with one wicket each as well.
When it was time for the Stars to bat, they knew they were up against a tough challenge. Meg Lanning led their charge with a determined 49 off 45 balls, while Amy Jones supported her well with 43 off 33. They steadied the ship for a while and gave the Stars a glimmer of hope, but once both were dismissed, the required run rate kept climbing and their momentum fizzled out.
The Scorchers’ bowlers responded effectively, with Sophie Devine taking the lead and wrapping up her spell with impressive figures of 4 overs, 20 runs, and 2 wickets. Alana King also had a significant impact, conceding just 25 runs in her 4 overs and taking 2 wickets herself, effectively stifling any significant partnerships among the Stars’ lineups. Their disciplined bowling was complemented by sharp fielding that created pressure, preventing the Stars from consolidating after their top two batters.
As wickets fell, the pressure mounted on the remaining Stars batters, and they struggled to find their footing. In the end, they finished at 145 for 9 in 20 overs, falling well short of the target and giving the Scorchers a solid 28-run victory.
The match truly pivoted on the excellent opening partnership from Mack and Mooney, combined with the standout bowling performances from Devine and King. The Scorchers’ overall performance demonstrated control throughout both innings, setting a challenging target and then efficiently dismantling the Stars’ chase. While Lanning and Jones fought hard, the rest of the Stars’ lineup couldn’t rise to the occasion.
With this victory, Perth Scorchers Women advanced to the Challenger, just one step away from the grand finale. Unfortunately, this marks the end of the road for the Stars in the 2025-26 season.
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