SYDNEY, CMC – West Indies Women’s captain Stafanie Taylor and fellow all-rounder Hayley Matthews have played minor roles in the Women’s Big Bash League in the latest rounds of matches. Taylor failed to spark, and the Adelaide Strikers chances of getting into the top four took a big hit, when they crumbled to a seven-wicket defeat against Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday at the Sydney Showground Stadium.
At the same time, Matthews was a non-starter for the Hobart Hurricanes against the Melbourne Stars at Hurstville Oval. When the two Windies Women’s all-rounders came face-to-face on Tuesday at Hurstville, again neither played a leading role, but Taylor was part of the Strikers side that clinched a 64-run win over Matthews and the Hurricanes. On Wednesday, Taylor made 16 from 22 balls, but it was left to South African Laura Wolvaardt with the top score of 36 and Madeline Penna with 26 not out to drag the Strikers to a respectable 122 for six from their allocation of 20 overs, after they chose to bat.
The Strikers lost early wickets in the midst of a restricted run rate, and though Taylor added 41 with Wolvaardt, and Penna shared an unbroken 35 for the seventh wicket with Tegan McPharlin, the total always looked inadequate against the star-studded Renegades.
Medium pacer Carly Leeson was the most successful Renegades bowler, taking three for 14 from her allotted four overs – including the scalp of Taylor. South African Lizelle Lee got the Renegades off to a flying start, getting after Strikers captain Megan Schutt, the Australia Women’s pacer, and Darcie Brown in the opening overs. Lee smashed 48 that included six fours and two sixes at better than a run-a-ball before Australia Women’s leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington drew a false shot from the opener that asked plenty of Schutt in the field, but she was able to hold onto a great catch and claim the opening wicket.
With 10 overs remaining, the Renegades needed under five runs an over with nine wickets standing, but the Strikers began to apply the squeeze to the run-rate, managing to fight their way back into the contest through dot balls. Australia Women’s left-handed opener Sophie Molineux was unfazed however, and guided her side towards the finish line with 52 off 43 balls that included seven fours before she was bowled by Australia Women’s pacer Tahlia McGrath with 12 needed from 28 balls.
On Tuesday, the Strikers claimed a 64-run victory over the Hurricanes, set up by big-hitting innings from Penna.
Coming to the crease with Strikers 65 for five and just eight overs remaining, Penna calmly constructed her innings before unleashing in the final stanza, smashing 24 from the last six balls. She finished with an unbeaten 56 from 33 balls that included six fours and two sixes and helped the Strikers set the Hurricanes 142 for victory.
Shortly after Penna’s arrival, Taylor was bowled by Australia Women’s pacer Nicola Carey for 16 with 39 balls remaining.
But Penna and McPharlin were the heroes for Strikers, putting on 69 – unbroken – for the seventh wicket.
Matthews took one for 25 from her four overs of off-spin, and also failed to make a big impression, when she opened the batting with New Zealander Rachel Priest.
They were both dismissed cheaply, and the Hurricanes were rocking on 26 for three in the seventh over, when Matthews was lbw to discarded Australia Women’s pacer Sarah Coyte for seven. Schutt bowled tightly, not giving up a run until the 12th delivery of her opening spell to give her side the start they needed, but Coyte did the damage, claiming three for 10 from three overs.
Following their lead, there was no weak link in the Strikers attack, keeping the run-rate low all innings to clinch the victory and the Hurricanes were bowled out for 77 in 16.4 overs.
The Strikers, now sixth on 11 points, will have a few days off with a double-header this coming Saturday and Sunday against the Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval and Perth Scorchers at North Sydney Oval, respectively.
The two fixtures will be the last of the regular season for Adelaide, and with nothing locked in yet, they loom as make or break battles to decide who will play off for the title.
The Hurricanes, now bottom of the eight-team table on eight points, play the Scorchers on Saturday at North Sydney Oval and complete their schedule against the Thunder on Sunday at Drummoyne Oval.
