Rain played spoilsport in the first game of the double-header in Melbourne. The Perth Scorchers take two points via the DLS method, handing the Adelaide Strikers their first defeat of the season.
Thatβs all we have for you from this fixture. Do join us for the next game β a Melbourne Derby β and plenty more cricketing action on this Super Sunday. This is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Raju Khariya and Karthik Raj. Goodbye!
Sophie Devine (POTM & Perth Scorchers Women Captain): "Yeah, look I think. The weather came in. You still have to go out and do the job. I thought it was a tricky wicket. We know the depth of Strikers' side and I guess to manage that chase was pleasing.
I think it is probably because I am getting older and slower, is why I am getting that swing. It is probably a bit more of a drift than swing. I was pretty lucky today. Nice to be able to get the ball out and got a partnership with Chloe Ainsworth.
(on Ruby Strange) She was outstanding today. New player coming in, you have nerves. But the smile she had on her from receiving her cap, kept it really nice and simple and getting a wicket in your first game is always special.
I think it is always the nature. Winning away from home is always important. We got a game over in Sydney before we get home and we are on the road again. We have to focus on ourselves. Looking at a couple of days off and then go again against the Thunder.
(On her catch) Marty (Katey Martin) needs to help us out there. Kiwis need to stick together. I put myself into an awkward position there. Doesn't matter how it looks like as long as it is taken."
Player of the Match: Sophie Devine
7:26 AM IST, 12:56 PM Local Time: Rain has the final say in this game. Perth Scorchers win by 9 runs via the DLS method and take two points from this fixture. After a brilliant bowling performance, their batters did enough to keep them ahead before rain arrived in Melbourne.
Earlier in the game, Perth Scorchers won the toss and opted to bowl first. Sophie Devine led from the front and picked up three wickets in her first spell to put the Adelaide Strikers on the back foot.
Tammy Beaumont and Bridget Patterson added 22 runs for the fourth wicket. Ellie Johnston then joined Patterson and put on a 31-run stand for the fifth wicket. Another fine partnership came courtesy of Amanda-Jade Wellington and Johnston (21 off 16) that took the Strikers past the 100-run mark.
Devine bagged three, debutant Ruby Strange got two, while Chloe Ainsworth, Alana King, Amy Edgar and Lilly Mills all chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Katie Mack remained not out on 24 off 30 and Mikayla Hinkley made 12 off 17. Beth Mooney bagged a golden duck. Only 9.1 overs were possible and Scorchers were 55/1 when rain arrived the players were taken off by the umpires.
Rain didn't stop after that and the officials had to call off the game. Scorchers were nine runs ahead on DLS and took two points from this game.
OVER 10
Perth Scorchers Women
55/2
Katie Mack
24(30)
Sophie Devine
5(7)
Sophie Ecclestone
0-9(1.1)
7:25 AM IST, 12:55 PM Local Time: Nothing new to update, the covers are still firmly in place. It is still raining at the Junction Oval. And just as I type that, the news comes in that the match has been called off and Perth Scorchers have won by 9 runs via DLS method.
6:56 AM IST, 12:26 PM Local Time: The rain has gotten heavier and the umpires are taking the players off the field. Absolutely bucketing down now at the Junction Oval. The whole square is under covers at the moment.
9.2 S Ecclestone to K Mack
4wd FIVE WIDES!!!! A rare poor ball from Ecclestone!!! Full and down the leg. Mack misses the sweep and the keeper fails to get anything behind that. The ball rolls away to deep fine leg fence for five wides.