Lizelle Lee smashes first century of the season as Stars register first win

Rain, a low scoring thriller and Lizelle Lee's century - the first of this season's Women's Big Bash League - were the major takeaways on the third Saturday (November 2) of the WBBL. Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers registered victories over Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat respectively.

The match between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The second match between Renegades and Sixers saw the former champions win another last-over thriller against last year's semi-finalists. Ellyse Perry remained unbeaten on 45 to take her team home with one ball one spare. Dane van Niekerk's allround efforts - 2 for 15 with the ball and 30 with the bat - too played an important part in setting up the game.

 

Dane van Niekerk brings up her first #WBBL05 runs in style!

Tune in LIVE on 7mate + Fox Cricket #WBBL05 pic.twitter.com/9fJymlq84f

— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 2, 2019

 

Opting to field first Sixers made good use of the conditions as Marizanne Kapp struck early to send back both Sophie Molineux (4) and Danni Wyatt (2) early. Thereafter it was a case of rebuilding for Renegades as Tammy Beaumont (29) and Courtney Webb (25) batted sensibly to take their team to a decent total. The duo put on 55 runs for the third wicket, but it came at a slow pace. After the dismissal of both the batters Jess Duffin's late flourish - 34 not out off just 22 balls - enabled Renegades to post 120 for the loss of eight wickets.

Chasing 121 Sixers lost two early wickets of Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner. However, Perry and van Niekerk kept their heads to take the Sixers to the brink of victory. Despite a few hiccups in the end, Perry managed to keep her head and get her team over the line.

In another match at Perth, Stars went past Scorchers by 20 runs to register their first win of the WBBL season. Opting to field first Scorchers were put on the back foot by Lizelle Lee who raced to her second WBBL century and the first of this season off just 62 balls. Lee carried her bat through the innings to remain unbeaten on 103. Her knock was studded with 13 fours and three sixes. Stars eventually finished on 155 for the loss of three wickets.

 

Some absolutely ridiculous striking from Lizelle Lee at the WACA! She reached her second WBBL hundred from 63 balls 💥 @CommBank #WBBL05 pic.twitter.com/bh9DNlQKU6

— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 2, 2019

 

Chasing 156, Meg Lanning and Natalie Sciver put on 59 runs for the second wicket. After the wickets of Lanning (40) and Sciver (26), Scorchers fell apart in the chase as regular wickets didn't help their cause. Stars attacked the stumps, stuck to their plans and simply dried up the runs.

In the final match of the day, between Strikers and Heat in Mackay, the former came out on top by eight wickets. Fifties from Suzie Bates and Bridget Patterson saw the 140-run target being chased down comfortably in the end.

Beth Mooney top-scored with 73 runs that helped Heat to 139. Megan Schutt was the pick of the bowlers as she finished with 2 wickets for 29 runs. She was well supported by Sophie Devine, Tahlia McGrath and Amanda Wellington who also picked up two wickets each.

Chasing 139, Bates in the company of Patterson batted sensibly to hunt down the target. After the early loss of Devine and McGrath, the duo of Bates and Patterson put on 92 runs for an unbroken fourth wicket stand.  Bates remained unbeaten on 55 and Patterson was on 57.

Brief scores:

Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder: Match Abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Melbourne Renegades 120/8 in 20 overs (Jess Duffin 34*, Courtney Webb 32; Dane van Niekerk 2-15) lost to Sydney Sixers 121/6 in 19.5 overs (Ellyse Perry 45* Dane van Niekerk 30; Maitlan Brown 2-18) by four wickets. PoM: Dane van Niekerk.

Melbourne Stars 155/3 in 20 overs (Lizlee Lee 103*; Heather Graham 2-27) beat Perth Scorchers 135/6 in 20 overs (Meg Lanning 40, Natalie Sciver 26; Madeline Penna 2-24) by 20 runs. PoM: Lizelle Lee.

Brisbane Heat 139/10 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 73; Megan Schutt 2-29) lost to Adelaide Strikers 143/2 in 19 overs (Bridget Patterson 57* Suzie Bates 55*; Amelia Kerr 1-24) by eight wickets. PoM: Brigett Patterson