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Melbourne Stars Women emerged victorious over Melbourne Renegades Women by eight runs (DLS method) in Match 54 of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2023, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
Renegades’ bowling domination
The Stars won the toss and opted to bat first, but their decision backfired as Hayley Matthews and Georgia Prestwidge dismissed three prime batters by the end of the powerplay. Although Annabel Sutherland and Tess Flintoff managed a 45-run partnership for fourth wicket, Harmanpreet Kaur‘s timely interventions curtailed their momentum, especially after the drinks break.
Harmanpreet continued her impactful spell by removing Flintoff in the next over, and the Stars’ innings crumbled. Apart from Nicole Fultam‘s contribution of 20 runs off 20 balls, the Renegades smoothly navigated through the lower middle order, inching closer to the run-a-ball mark. Matthews, Prestwidge, Harmanpreet, and Georgia Wareham each claimed a couple of wickets.
Luck favouring the Stars
In the pursuit of the 119-run target, the Renegades faced an early setback, losing their openers, Tammy Beaumont and Emma de Broughe, in the same over. By the brink of the powerplay, they were struggling at 12-2, with Matthews and Harmanpreet holding the fort. However, just as the rain interrupted play, causing a delay, the match eventually got abandoned, with the result favouring the Stars.
Melbourne Stars defeated Melbourne Renegades by 8 runs 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/twx2UlFVxM#women #cricket #WBBL2023 #melbournestars #MelbourneRenegades #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/pHK4bpvFUg
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) November 25, 2023
Also READ: South Africa announces all-format Women captain and T20I squad for Bangladesh series
Player of the match
The Player of the Match accolade was rightfully bestowed upon Kim Garth, the versatile all-rounder for the Stars, in recognition of her brief yet extraordinary bowling display that culminated in figures of 2/2.
Match result’s impact
The outcome of this clash is poised to bear no substantial consequences, given that both teams find themselves eliminated from contention in the current edition of the tournament, with their playoff aspirations extinguished.
