Beth Mooney scored a stunning last-over century, in a total one-woman show, as Perth Scorchers pipped Sydney Thunder by 42 runs to displace them at the top of the points table.
After Sophie Devine’s heroics with the bat in the last two consecutive games to set up this top of the table clash, it was Mooney who came to the party in Sunday’s double-header in Melbourne as she raced to a 36-ball fifty in the 13th over despite losing partners at regular intervals. The southpaw then went to convert it into her third WBBL century, taking just 25 balls more to reach the milestone as she hit four boundaries in the 20th over to finish with 101*, propelling Scorchers to a strong finish at 159/4.
Thunder’s chase imploded around Phoebe Litchfield, who held one end up with her quick 45. Thunder lost three wickets on the score of 17, in the space of six balls, and were soon down to 35/5. Litchfield missed out on a half-century but took the side past the 100-run mark courtesy a 68-ru stand with Sammy Jo-Johnson, who chipped in 33-ball 34, It was all too little too late as an all-round bowling show meant Scorchers were well on course for a comfortable win by then. Amy Louise Edgar was pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-18, while skipper Devine (2-27) and Chloe Ainsworth (2-8) picked two apiece.
Brief scores: PErth Scorchers 159/4 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 101*; Hannah Darlington 2-26) beat Sydney Thunder 117/8 in 20 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 45, Sammy Jo-Johnson 34*; Amy Louise Edgar 3-18, Chloe Ainsworth 2-8, Sophie Devine 2027) by 42 runs
Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, Melbournehttps://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/77740/mlrw-vs-mlsw-37th-match-womens-big-bash-league-2023
The second game of the double head, in contrast, was a battle between bottom two sides and Stars had skipper Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland to thank for their four-run victory in the derby.
Lanning carried her bat through, making 49-ball 67 as she put on vital partnerships to take Stars to a competitve 144/5. Barring Lanning, only Sutehrland made a substantial contribution with her 16-ball cameo of 24, that included two sixes.
Kim Garth struck early then as Renegades lost a wicket on the second ball of their chase. However, Harmanpreet Kaur (37) and Tammy Beaumont (33) revived Renegades with a 63-run partnership. Sutherland then shone with the ball, dismissing both the set batters in their 30s in quick succession.
Renegades skipper Hayley Matthews briefly again revived the hopes of a win with her effective came of 32 that came in just 22 balls, studded with four boundaries and a six. Once again, Sutherland provided an opening and claimed two in successive balls to dent Renegades spirits, finishing with the mighty impressive figures of 4-1-22-4.
Brief scores: Melbourne Stars 144/5 in 20 overs (Meg Lanning 67*, Annabel Sutherland 24; Sarah Coyte 2-32) beat Melbourne Renegades 140/6 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 37, Hayley Matthews 32; Annabel Sutherland 4-22) by 4 runs
