WBBL clash washed out after Lanning sizzles for Stars
Joel Gould |
Rain has washed out Melbourne Stars’ hopes of starting their WBBL season with a win against Adelaide after Meg Lanning shone with the bat.
The home side made 5-184 after being sent in at Junction Oval on Monday.
The Strikers had reached 1-32 off 4.2 overs when the heavens opened. Both sides received one competition point as the match failed to reach the required five overs necessary for a result to be declared.
The Stars’ innings was fired by the imperious Lanning (60 off 41 deliveries) and aggressive Annabel Sutherland (54 not out off 39).
Danny Gibson’s cameo of 31 off 15 balls, which included two sixes, ensured an imposing total.
Lanning was in fine fettle and unlucky to be run out at the non-striker’s end. It was the only way she looked like being dismissed.
Sutherland smacked a Sophie Ecclestone delivery straight back down the pitch and the England star got a finger on the ball to deflect it onto the stumps and find Lanning backing up too far.
The first two balls of the power surge showcased Lanning’s class and skill.
With the off side field brought in she lofted an extra cover drive to the boundary off Megan Schutt. Lanning followed that up with an effortless drive for six over long off to bring up her half-century.
Sutherland, in her 100th WBBL appearance, played strokes all around the ground in a tremendous captain’s knock.
She was particularly strong down the ground and brought up her 50 with a pulled six over wide mid-on.
Legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (2-20) was the pick of the Strikers bowlers.
AAP
