Scorchers go top after WBBL win over Heat

Adrian Warren | October 29, 2022

Perth Scorchers have become the third team to occupy top spot on the ladder on an eventful day in the WBBL, after a thrilling three-run win over Brisbane Heat at Allan Border Field.

Chasing 141 for victory in front of a capacity crowd in Brisbane on Saturday, the home side needed 13 off the final over bowled by Sophie Devine, but managed just nine.

Adelaide, who didn’t play on Saturday, had started the day top, but the Sydney Sixers overhauled them, jumping from fourth to first with an eight-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes in a reduced 12 overs-a-side match in Ballarat.

The winners of the Heat-Scorchers clash knew they would go top – and Brisbane looked to be on track at 2-74 after 12 overs before English batter Danni Wyatt (34 off 29) was bowled by pacer Marizanne Kapp (2-23 off four).

Legspinner Alana King (also 2-23 off four) dismissed the dangerous Laura Harris (six off four) and Georgia Voll (28 off 23) in the 17th over.

Kapp bowled Charli Knott in the 19th and Brisbane finished at 7-137.

Earlier, Perth had overcome a sluggish period when they scored just scored just 18 off six overs and went almost eight without a boundary.

Top scorer Amy Edgar (36no off 26) scored just three off her first 14 deliveries, but bolstered the Scorchers total to 7-140 with four fours and two sixes.

In Ballarat, Australian star Ashleigh Gardner excelled with bat and ball for the Sixers, after a wet outfield delayed the start.

She returned her best T20 bowling figures of 4-23 as the Hurricanes made 8-95.

The hard-hitting right-hander then spearheaded the Sixers chase, smashing a game-high 43 off 22 balls, with her side reaching their target with seven deliveries to spare.

Another Australian international allrounder to shine on Saturday was Annabel Sutherland.

She took 3-17 off four overs and scored 42no off 48 balls in the Melbourne Stars’ six-wicket win over local rivals Melbourne Renegades in the second part of the Ballarat double-header.

Spinner Sophie Day returned career-best WBBL figures of 4-19, as the Renegades were bowled out for 91.

Stars clinched victory with 15 balls to spare to record their first win over their cross-town rivals in almost three years.

They jumped off the bottom of the ladder, climbing above Sydney Thunder and the bottom-placed Renegades.