Sophie Devine produced a masterclass in seam bowling to guide the Perth Scorchers to a 15-run victory over the Melbourne Stars in a low-scoring WBBL encounter. Despite a fighting 41 from Meg Lanning, the Stars collapsed in their pursuit of 125 at Junction Oval as the Scorchers’ bowling attack tightened the screws in the final overs.
- Sophie Devine claimed 4 for 19, including the crucial wickets of Annabel Sutherland and Charlie Dean, to derail the Stars’ middle order.
- Alana King delivered a match-defining double-wicket maiden in the 18th over to finish with figures of 3 for 17.
- Meg Lanning top-scored for the Melbourne Stars with a composed 41 before her dismissal triggered a terminal collapse.
- The Scorchers successfully defended a modest total of 124/9, marking a winning start for Beth Mooney in her new role as captain.
Spin Dominates the Scorchers’ Innings
The Scorchers’ innings never truly found its rhythm after a promising start of 36 for no loss during the powerplay. The introduction of spin proved to be their undoing as the batting unit struggled to adapt to the conditions, slipping from 70 for 2 to a precarious 76 for 7. Sophie Day, Charlie Dean, and Maisy Gibson exploited the two-paced surface effectively, each picking up two wickets to keep the pressure on. Amy Jones was exceptional behind the stumps for the Stars, claiming four catches, including two athletic leg-side efforts. Alana King’s 18 and Beth Mooney’s 17 were the top scores in a total of 124 for 9 that initially appeared to be well below par on a ground known for higher scores.
Devine and King Turn the Tide
In response, the Stars appeared to be cruising while Meg Lanning was at the crease. Lanning’s 41 was the standout performance of the match, keeping the chase on track as the Stars reached 79 for 4 despite intermittent drizzle. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Lanning fell, triggering a collapse where the final six wickets fell for just 30 runs. Devine’s veteran experience was on full display as she hit the deck hard, using the conditions to her advantage. Her dismissals of Sutherland and Dean were pivotal in breaking the Stars’ resistance. Alana King’s leg-spin provided the finishing blows, including a decisive double-wicket maiden that left the tail with too much to do. The Stars were eventually bundled out for 109 in the 19th over, handing the Scorchers a hard-fought win.
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