Strikers qualify, Scorchers one step closer to WBBL semi-finals

Adelaide Strikers beat Hobart Hurricanes by two runs in a thrilling final over to qualify for the semi-finals of the fifth edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) on Saturday (November 23). The day also witnessed Perth Scorchers overcoming Sydney Sixers to move one step closer to secure a place in the top four while Melbourne Stars stunned Melbourne Renegades.

In the clash between Scorchers and Sixers, all-rounder Nat Sciver turned out to be the difference between the two sides. When Scorchers' top-order returned to the dugout following an impressive start, Sciver combined with Heather Graham to take the side to a competitive total. England's all-rounder played the crucial knock of 52 while Graham's unbeaten 14-ball 25 helped Scorchers post 152 for the loss of five.

For Sixers, the absence of injured Ellyse Perry hit both their bowling and batting departments. Marizanne Kapp returned with two wickets while rest of the unit remained clueless most of the time. Sciver shone with the ball as well as she got the big wicket of Alyssa Healy cheaply for two. The dismissal of the wicketkeeper-batter led to a collapse in the middle order before Lauren Smith, with her an unbeaten 36, tried to take the side closer to the target. However, it was too late and Sixers were restricted to 100 for the loss of nine wickets.

Elsewhere, a career-best 73 by Anna Lanning, who made her debut for Renegades, was undone by Stars' South African duo Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez's 62 and 41, respectively. Put in to bat first, Lanning and Tammy Beaumont (39) laid a solid foundation before Jess Duffin joined the party (35 not out off 17 balls) to help Renegades post 165 for the loss of three wickets. Nicola Hancock returned with two wickets for Stars, whose bowling unit remained mediocre but their batters covered up for them.

Anna Lanning celebrates a half-century. © Getty Images

Lee and du Preez stitched a 90-run stand for the second wicket but as they inched closer to victory both the South African batters had to return to the dugout. However, Annabel Sutherland (16*) and Erin Osborne (34*) carried the set momentum and finally took Stars home by seven wickets. For Renegades, Lea Tahuhu took two wickets.

In the final encounter of the day, Smash Sisters Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine powered Strikers to post 143 for the loss of three after sent in to bat first against Hurricanes. The duo added 85 for the opening wicket before Belinda Vakarewa got the breakthrough as she cleaned up Devine for a well-compiled 31.

Despite losing her compatriot, Bates continued and anchored the innings as she smashed 64, including seven boundaries and one maximum, before Tahlia McGrath pushed the scoreboard to a defendable total. For Hurricanes, Vakarewa, Nicola Carey, and Heather Knight picked up one wicket each.

In reply, Hurricanes lost their openers inside the third over. Knight and Carey rebuilt the innings but that too did not last long as Amanda-Jade Wellington got rid of Knight for 22. Sarah Coyte added her name to the wicket-takers' list as she dismissed aggressive Carey (22). Big-hitter Chloe Tryon then brought down the asking rate before Wellington delivered an economical penultimate over and Coyte ensured that Tryon was at the non-strikers' end for most of the balls in the final over. Tryon was left stranded on 44 and Strikers secured a two-run victory.

Brief scores:

Perth Scorchers 152/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver 52, Meg Lanning 28, Marizanne Kapp 2-27) beat Sydney Sixers 100/9 in 20 overs (Lauren Smith 36*, Kim Garth 2-15, Heather Graham 2-17) by 52 runs.

Melbourne Renegades 165/3 in 20 overs (Anna Lanning 73, Tammy Beaumont 39, Jess Duffin 35*; Nicola Hancock 2-35) lost to Melbourne Stars 169/3 in 19.2 overs (Lizelle Lee 62, Mignon du Preez 41, Lea Tahuhu 2-26) by seven wickets.

Adelaide Strikers 143/3 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 64, Sophie Devine 31, Heather Knight 1-22) beat Hobart Hurricanes 141/7 in 20 overs (Chloe Tryon 44*, Corinne Hall 25, Amanda-Jade Wellington 3-23) by two runs.