Thatās all we have for you from the Junction Oval. The defending champions were comprehensively beaten today, as the Perth Scorchers cruised to a comfortable victory.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Ninaad Dixit who, along with scorer/analyst Bishal Mandal brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEš
Player of the Match: Sophie Devine
12:45 PM IST & 6:15 PM Local Time: Thatās the end of the contest! A commanding performance from the Scorchers, who cruise to a comfortable 4-wicket victory over the defending champions.
Earlier in the day, the Perth Scorchers won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Renegades began steadily but suffered their first setback when Courtney Webb fell in the final over of the Powerplay, with Amy Edgar striking in her very first over. From there, the Renegades kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never quite managed to build a meaningful partnership, leaving their innings constantly under pressure.
At the halfway stage, the Renegades were 70/4 and although Georgia Wareham and Deandra Dottin put together a 25-run stand for the fifth wicket, both departed in quick succession to deepen the trouble. The innings seemed to be unravelling rapidly, but Nicole Faltum (41* off 28) and Sarah Coyte (24 off 18) injected some much-needed momentum with a vital 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Their gritty stand helped lift the Renegades to a respectable total, before they were eventually bowled out for 150 off the final ball of the innings. Two wickets apiece for Chloe Ainsworth (2/17), Sophie Devine (2/16) & Amy Louise Edgar (2/34).
The Scorchers began their chase in style, thanks to a vintage show from Sophie Devine. She was unstoppable in the powerplay, finding boundaries with ease and giving Perth a flying start. By the end of the 4-over powerplay, they were cruising at 51/0, with the opening partnership already putting the Renegades under pressure. Sarah Coyte turned the tide briefly, removing the dangerous Devine for a rapid 46 off 24 in her very first over. Katie Mack couldnāt make an impact either, departing for 7 off 9 balls.
Beth Mooney (42 off 31) held the innings together with a steady anchorās role in the chase. At the halfway stage, the Scorchers were well placed at 89/2 and immediately opted for the Power Surge once the second half began. Mooney and Darke stitched a useful 36-run stand for the third wicket. But just when things looked under control, the Scorchers suffered a dramatic collapse. From a comfortable 116/2, they suddenly slipped to 118/6, throwing the door wide open for the Renegades.
Freya Kemp and Lilly Mills steadied the ship as they stitched together an unbeaten 33-run partnership for the seventh wicket, guiding the Scorchers home in the 19th over. A composed finish to seal a 4-wicket victory for Perth.
OVER 19
Perth Scorchers Women
151/6
Lilly Mills
15(16)
Freya Kemp
18(14)
Sophie Molineux
0-34(3.4)
18.4 S Molineux to L Mills
1 Full around off. Mills steps out and swings her bat across the line. She gets a top edge which rolls past the left of short third man for a single. That's it as the Perth Scorchers win their 4th game of the season by 4 wickets and with 8 balls to spare!
The scores are now level!
18.3 S Molineux to F Kemp
1 Length ball drifting into the pads. Kemp glances it to the left of short fine leg for a quick single.
18.2 S Molineux to L Mills
1 Full angling down leg. Mills sweeps it to long leg for a single.