In the 13th encounter Women’s Big Bash League 2024 (WBBL) At the Oval Junction, Melbourne Renegades won a thrilling last ball victory over Adelaide Strikers with two goalkeepers, with a captain Sophie Molineux delivering a superb all-round performance to guide his side home.
Adelaide Strikers set a tough target
Batting first, the Strikers posted a competitive total of 157 for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs with brilliant batting from the captain. Tahlia McGrath. McGrath was in magnificent touch, hitting 64 off 44 balls studded with eight fours and a six. Despite losing partners at the other end, he executed his stroke effectively to keep the scoreboard ticking. Contributions from other batsmen were modest, with Renegades’ bowlers keeping things under control.
Molineux was the pick of the bowlers for the Renegades, leading from the front with controlled spin. He claimed two crucial wickets in his 4 over spell and helped restrict the batsmen to an achievable target on a good batting pitch. Molineux’s efforts with the ball provided a solid platform for a thrilling chase.
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Sophie Molineux’s heroics seal the game for Melbourne Renegades
Chasing 158, Renegades’ innings had its fair share of stumbles, especially with the Strikers’ bowlers. Darcie Brownkeeping them under control. Brown batted with pace and accuracy, taking two wickets and conceding just 20 runs in his four-over spell, putting effective pressure on the Renegades during the middle overs.
However, Molineux’s explosive strike stole the show. Coming in at a crucial moment, Molineux hit 64 off just 32 balls, including nine fours and three powerful sixes, to keep the Renegades in the hunt. His aggressive intent allowed the Renegades to stay out of reach, even as doors fell around him. As the equation tightened, Molineux’s composure and strength proved invaluable, bringing his team closer to victory.
The all-round brilliance of Molineux
Molineux’s all-round brilliance earned him a well-deserved Man of the Match award as his captaincy and match-winning performance with both bat and ball played a vital role in the Renegades’ victory.
With this win, Melbourne Renegades secured their back-to-back wins and moved up to fourth place in the points table with four points. Meanwhile, the Adelaide Strikers, with just two points so far, are bottom of the table, having to regroup quickly to turn their campaign around.
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This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
