In an action-packed 3rd Match of the T20 Spring Challenge 2026 at Blacktown Olympic Park No 2 Oval in Sydney, Perth Scorchers Women produced a clinical overall performance to cruise past Melbourne Renegades Women by 6 wickets.
Electing to field first after winning the toss, Perth Scorchers Women opt to bowl first. Melbourne Renegades Women began their innings steadily, thanks to captain and wicketkeeper Nicole Faltum alongside opener Courtney Webb. The duo forged a solid 61-run opening partnership off 62 deliveries, laying a strong foundation. Webb contributed a fine 25 off 24 balls, laced with 2 boundaries, before Lilly Mills generated the first breakthrough in the 11th over by having her caught by Ines McKeon (61/1, 10.2 ov).
Sophie Reid joined Faltum but struggled to generate quick runs, scoring just 3 off 8 balls before being caught short of her crease by a sharp throw from Lilly Mills in the 12th over (65/2, 11.4 ov). Faltum held the innings together with a top-score of 44 off 47 deliveries, including 4 boundaries, before Amy Edgar bowled her in the 16th over to leave the Renegades at 96/3 (15.1 ov). Tess Flintoff provided late-innings fireworks with an explosive cameo, blasting 39 off just 23 balls with 4 fours and a towering six.
Along the way, she shared quick stands with Olivia Porter, who scored 4 off 5 balls before being run out by Shay Manolini (107/4, 16.2 ov), and Milly Illingworth, who made 1 off 3 balls before falling to Ebony Hoskin (118/5, 17.1 ov). Lucy Wilson added 5 off 4 balls before becoming the third run-out victim of the innings via Chloe Piparo (125/6, 18.2 ov). Flintoff’s fine knock was ended in the final over when Chloe Ainsworth dismissed her, caught by Lilly Mills (129/7, 19.6 ov). Unbeaten tailenders Tayla Vlaeminck (4* off 4) and Tarah Staines (4* off 3) pushed Melbourne Renegades Women to a total of 138/7 in their 20 overs.
Perth Scorchers Women’s bowling attack applied pressure throughout, supported by sharp fielding that produced three crucial run-outs. Chloe Ainsworth led the figures with a disciplined 1/20 in her 4 overs, while Ebony Hoskin chipped in with 1/20 off 3 overs. Amy Edgar (1/29 in 4 overs) and Lilly Mills (1/32 in 4 overs) provided key middle-over breakthroughs. Ruby Strange (0/24 in 3 overs) and Shay Manolini (0/13 in 2 overs) kept the scoring rate contained to complete a well-rounded bowling display.
Chasing 139 for victory, Perth Scorchers Women launched a aggressive response. Openers Katie Mack and Ines McKeon shared a brisk 39-run opening partnership off 32 balls. McKeon scored 8 off 10 balls (1 four) before Tess Flintoff broke through by cleaning up her stumps in the 6th over (39/1, 5.2 ov). Mikayla Hinkley then partnered with Mack to take total control of the chase, adding 34 rapid runs off 22 balls for the second wicket. Mack led the charge with a fluent 43 off 34 balls, smashing 7 boundaries, before Ava Drury had her caught by Milly Illingworth in the 9th over (73/2, 8.6 ov).
Hinkley continued her assault alongside captain Chloe Piparo, forming a dominant 42-run partnership off 28 balls for the third wicket. Hinkley struck an entertaining 39 off 25 balls, featuring 6 boundaries, before Flintoff struck again to have her caught by Drury in the 14th over (114/3, 13.3 ov). Piparo compiled 18 off 17 balls (2 fours) before becoming Flintoff’s third victim in the 16th over, caught by Tarah Staines (132/4, 15.2 ov). Chloe Ainsworth played a quickfire unbeaten cameo of 11 off 8 balls (2 fours), combining with Ruby Strange (2* off 4) to seal the chase seamlessly. Perth Scorchers Women comfortably reached 139/4 in 16.1 overs, winning the match by 6 wickets with 23 balls to spare.
For Melbourne Renegades Women, Tess Flintoff was the standout bowler, taking 3/34 in her 4-over spell. Ava Drury bowled economically to claim 1/12 in 2 overs. However, the rest of the attack found it tough to halt the Scorchers’ run flow, as Tayla Vlaeminck (0/32 in 4 overs), Milly Illingworth (0/34 in 3.1 overs), and Tarah Staines (0/25 in 3 overs) went wicketless in a tough bowling outing.
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