Melbourne Stars won by thirteen runs against the Sydney Thunder in a game where bowlers dominated. Batting first, Melbourne put on a total of just 108 runs but the Thunder batting continued to struggle and failed to reach such a low total.
Elyse Vilani and Maia Bouchier hold the fort
After a menacing pace spell by Issy Wong clinched the wickets of Annabel Sutherland and Meg Lanning, Maia Bouchier came to the crease to join Elyse Vilani. Both of the batters soaked the relentless bowling and paired up for a much-needed 63 runs partnership. Bouchier and Vilani ran hard between the wickets and tried their best to set a foundation. At a score of 81, Maia fell to Lauren Smith.
From there, the batting crumbled and the team secured a paltry 27 runs in 33 balls. Elyse Villani batted till the second-last ball of the game and scored 52 runs off 63 balls. Meanwhile, Maia played a crucial inning of 31 runs in just 28 deliveries which is a stellar inning considering the conditions.
Issy Wong took two wickets for 19 runs in her four overs. Samantha Bates turned out to be the team’s most economical bowler with the figures of 11 runs in four overs for a wicket. Deepti Sharma took a wicket for 28 runs. Hannah Darlington spent just 20 runs in her four overs for a wicket. Lauren Smith took a wicket for 12 runs in two overs.
Kim Garth scythes through Thunder
Garth returned unbelievable numbers in her three overs during the powerplay. She didn’t give a run and took three wickets claiming Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia Wilson, and Corinne Hall. By the time 25 balls went, four of the wicket fell for the Thunder while the score read a paltry 12. Then Deepti Sharma and Anika Laeoryd prevented a complete breakdown.
The pair added 42 runs but took 62 balls and the run rate climbed up to as high as eight and a half when Anika fell after making 21 runs. After that, Hannah Darlington and Deepti Sharma didn’t let any further wicket fall but the required rate became impenetrable with each over. Ultimately, the bowlers choked Thunder and Deepti Sharma’s 48-ball 48 runs innings went in vain.
Garth finished with the figures of 11 for 3, Annabel remained pinpoint and spent just eight runs in her three over also claiming Smriti Mandhana. Sophia Day also took a wicket. Meanwhile, Erin Osborne and Linsey Smith both gave under six runs per over as the Sydney Thunder batting continued to underwhelm.