Melbourne Stars Women vs Sydney Thunder Women (33rd Match) – Highlights
In this article, we will discuss the thrilling 33rd match of the Melbourne Stars Women vs Sydney Thunder Women for the Women’s Big Bash League 2024, where the ST-W faced off against the MS-W in Sydney on November 20. The match was a nail-biter, with the Thunder clinching victory by 4 wickets with just two balls to spare. We’ll delve into the Stars’ batting struggles, which resulted in a modest total of 108/9, and how the Thunder’s composed chase led them to a hard-fought win.
The Melbourne Stars Women faced significant challenges in their innings, finishing with 108/9 in 20 overs. Their batting lineup struggled to establish momentum as early wickets fell, leaving the team under pressure.
Sophie Reid provided a steady start with 21 runs off 21 balls, but her dismissal by Chamari Athapaththu triggered a collapse. The middle order faltered, with key players like Annabel Sutherland, Meg Lanning, and Marizanne Kapp failing to capitalize on starts.
Late contributions from Kim Garth, who scored a quick 20 off 16 balls, and Deepti Sharma, who added 16 runs, helped push the total past the 100-run mark. However, the overall scoring rate remained low at 5.40 runs per over.
The ST-W bowlers executed their plans effectively, with Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge, claiming 2 wickets for just 12 runs in her 4 overs. Hannah Darlington delivered crucial breakthroughs, ending with 3/26, while Taneale Peschel and Samantha Bates chipped in with a wicket each. Their disciplined bowling effort kept the Stars’ batters in check, leaving them with a modest total to defend.
The Sydney Thunder Women hunted down the modest 109-run target set by the Melbourne Stars Women with just two balls to spare, snatching victory by 4 wickets and keeping the drama alive till the last possible moment. Their innings was characterized by steady contributions from several batters, despite the early loss of wickets.
Georgia Voll (11 runs) and Chamari Athapaththu (1 run) were dismissed early, leaving the Thunder at 12/2. However, Phoebe Litchfield, the team’s captain, remained steady for a brief period before being dismissed for a duck. Tahlia Wilson played a pivotal knock of 33 runs off 52 balls, anchoring the chase until her departure.
The Thunder were in a tricky spot at 37/4 but Anika Learoyd contributed a valuable 31 not out from 44 balls, while Sammy-Jo Johnson made 8 runs off 9 balls, ensuring the chase stayed on course. In the final overs, Hannah Darlington blasted 5 not out from just 2 balls, securing the win with 2 balls to spare.
The MS-W struggled with their bowling efforts, with Marizanne Kapp taking 3 wickets for 20 runs, and Kim Garth adding another. Despite their best efforts, the Stars couldn’t halt the Thunder’s late charge.
Melbourne Stars Women vs. Sydney Thunder Women Scoreboard
Melbourne Stars Women – 108/9(20)
Sydney Thunder Women– 112/6 (19.4/20)
Result – Thunder won by 4 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
Player of the Match – Hannah Darlington
MS-W vs. ST-W Playing XI
Melbourne Stars Women
Sophie Reid(WK), Annabel Sutherland(C), Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp, Tess Flintoff, Rhys McKenna, Deepti Sharma, Ines Mckeon, Kim Garth, Maisy Gibson. Sophie Day
Sydney Thunder Women
Georgia Voll, Chamari Athapaththu, Phoebe Litchfield(C), Tahlia Wilson(WK), Georgia Adams, Anika Learoyd, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Hannah Darlington. Taneale Peschel, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates
Disclaimer: These match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.
Want to stay ahead in the world of Cricket? Explore our comprehensive Match Highlights, insightful analysis, and the latest updates on all your favorite fixtures and more at BjSports. Don’t miss out and dive into the action now!