Meg Lanning celebrates her homecoming before rain washes out Melbourne, Sydney derbies

In an unfortunate start to the Women's Big Bash League, both the Melbourne and Sydney derbies were abandoned due to rain on Sunday (October 25). While the match between Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers was called off without a ball being bowled, Melbourne Renegades and the Stars had a fair bit of play before rain paid a visit and forced a 'no result'.



After a brief delay due to rain, Melbourne Stars, who were asked to bat by the Renegades, lost Elyse Villani to Courtney Neale off the first ball of the match. Mignon du Preez, who came in at one drop, wasted no time in getting things going for the Stars. She hit Neale for a couple of boundaries and added 39 runs in the powerplay along with her skipper Meg Lanning.



ALSO READ: Darcie Brown, Grace Harris shine as Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat begin WBBL06 campaign on a winning note



At the other end, Lanning batted cautiously making sure her side did not lose another wicket. The duo scored 69 runs in 56 balls before du Preez mistimed a slog off Carly Leeson in the tenth over. Leeson then dismissed Natalie Sciver in the same over and brought the Renegades back into the match.

How about that from debutante Courtney Neale! A wicket with her first ever ball in the WBBL 😲



Watch LIVE: https://t.co/2U40xnDnbT #WBBL06 pic.twitter.com/k7S6ce0jVY

— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) October 25, 2020

Teenage sensation Annabel Sutherland joined Lanning in the middle, and after ten overs, the match was in the balance with Stars stuttering slightly at 70 for 3. Despite a couple of quiet overs from Georgia Wareham and Leeson, the batting pair kept the scoreboard moving with singles and doubles.



ALSO READ: Sune Luus aims to fly the South African flag high in Women’s T20 Challenge



Lanning hit a flurry of boundaries off Maitlan Brown and Leeson to up the ante. While she brought up her 21st WBBL half-century in 48 balls, Sutherland took the attack to the opposition. She made a 23-ball 31 before being stumped by Josie Dooley off Sophie Molineux. Rain interrupted again when the Stars were on 127 for 4 after 17 overs. The match was eventually called-off after the rain persisted.

Brief Scores:

Melbourne Stars: 127/4 in 17 overs (Meg Lanning 51*, Annabel Sutherland 31, Carly Leeson 2-28) v Melbourne Renegades. Match abandoned due to rain.



Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder. Match abandoned without a ball bowled.