Duffin stars as the Renegades keep qualification hopes afloat
Skipper Jessica Duffin led the way with an unbeaten 76 off 57 deliveries, which included nine fours and two sixes, as the Renegades prevailed in the Melbourne derby at the Junction Oval on Saturday (November 30) to keep their qualification hopes alive. With 14 points from 13 matches, the Renegades are currently fourth on the points table, closely followed by Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder who have 12 and 11 respectively.
The victory didn't come easy for the Renegades, who after opting to bowl saw Lizelle Lee (70) and Elyse Villani (45) add 118 runs for the opening wicket. While Molly Strano and Maitlan Brown picked up quick wickets, Erin Osborne and Nicole Faltum ensured a blitzy finish for their side with their 36-run association that helped the Stars to 162 for 4.
The Renegades were in early trouble in the chase, losing their openers and later a well-set Tammy Beaumont to be 54 for 3 in the eighth over. Duffin and Courtney Webb led the fightback with an 81-run stand. With 28 required off 17 deliveries, Georgia Wareham supported Duffin as they struck crucial boundaries to bring down the equation to eight off the final over, and the two batters scored the remaining runs to ensure a victory with a delivery to spare.
Brief scores: Melbourne Stars 162/4 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 70, Elyse Villani 45; Maitlan Brown 2-24, Molly Strano 2-29)lost to Melbourne Renegades163/4 in 19.5 overs (Jessica Duffin 76*, Courtney Webb 30; Erin Osborne 2-36) by 6 wickets.
A clinical show with the ball helped Adelaide Strikers move to the top of the points table as they registered an eight-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers at the Hurstville Oval and in doing so, hurt their opponents' qualification hopes. The Strikers now have 20 points from 13 matches with a game left against the fifth-placed Sixers, who need other results going their way.
The decision to bat first backfired for the Sixers, as they could only finish with 93 for 9, with a highest of 20 from Marizanne Kapp in four double-figure scores. Sarah Coyte (3-9), Megan Schutt (2-12) and Tahlia McGrath (2-19) did bulk of the damage with the ball to restrict the Sixers to a paltry total. Sophie Devine (46*) and Tahlia McGrath (30) guided the Strikers in the chase after they lost Suzie Bates early, putting on 71 for the second wicket. While McGrath's stay was ended by Hayley Silver-Holmes, Devine and Bridget Patterson scored the remaining runs as they sealed victory in the 16th over.
Brief scores: Sydney Sixers93/9 in 20 overs (Marizanne Kapp 20; Sarah Coyte 3-9, Megan Schutt 2-12) lost to Adelaide Strikers94/2 in 15.1 overs (Sophie Devine 46*, Tahlia McGrath 30) by 8 wickets.
Hobart Hurricanes, who are not in the race for qualification, defeated the third-placed Perth Scorchers by six wickets to provide some respite to their dismal campaign. The Scorchers have a match left against the Hurricanes and currently have 16 points, closely followed by the Renegades who have 14 and a game left.
Asked to bat, early wickets hampered the Scorchers' progress as they slipped to 21 for 3. Natalie Sciver and Nicole Bolton tried to steady the innings but both fell in the 20s, following which the innings fell apart and the Scorchers were eventually bowled out for 107. Tayla Vlaeminck, Maisy Gibson and Nicola Carey bagged two wickets apiece.
The Hurricanes also lost a couple of early wickets but Erin Fazackerley scored a well-paced half-century and her useful partnerships with Fran Wilson and Corinne Hall kept the team on course. Chloe Tryon then struck two fours and a six to seal the victory in the 16th over.
Brief scores: Perth Scorchers 107 in 20 overs (Nicole Bolton 21, Natalie Sciver 21; Tayla Vlaeminck 2-19, Maisy Gibson 2-20) lost to Hobart Hurricanes113/4 in 15.4 overs (Erin Fazackerley 58; Taneale Peschel 2-33) by 6 wickets.
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