WBBL Review: Sciver shines as Stars win, Hobart close in on top four

Natalie Sciver takes career-best figures as Melbourne Stars continue unbeaten run, Hobart brush aside Melbourne Renegades to close the gap to the top four

Sciver shines as Melbourne Stars win… AGAIN 

England star Natalie Sciver claimed career-best figures of 4-29 as Melbourne Stars edged out Adelaide Strikers by five wickets in a final over thriller. 

Sciver claimed the wickets of Tahlia McGrath, Katie Mack, Madeline Penna and Amanda-Jade Wellington as Strikers were restricted to 140 for 7 in their 20 overs. There was also a wicket each for Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff and Annabel Sutherland. 

For Adelaide, it was Laura Wolvaardt again who top-scored – scoring 46. She had support from Wellington (29) and her captain Suzie Bates (28). Mack also chipped in with 15 and was the only other player to pass double figures. 

In pursuit of 141 for victory, Stars lost their captain Meg Lanning (11) early, Stars needed to bounce back and they did that as Elyse Villani (46) put on 92 runs for the third wicket with South Africa’s Mignon du Preez (61), who scored her first half-century of the tournament. 

Sciver fell with the score on 131 with 17 balls still to be bowled. Sutherland and du Preez both fell in the penultimate over, leaving their side with three to win off the last. Annabel Sutherland hit the winning runs as Stars sealed the victory. 

The result means that for the first time in their history, Melbourne Stars have won five games on the bounce. They sit pretty at the top of table with a three-point lead; however, Sydney Thunder have a game in hand. 

_{Mignon du Preez scored her first half-century of WBBL 06}

Hobart Hurricanes edge closer to semi-final spot 

New Zealander Rachel Priest backed up her unbeaten 83 in the last match by scoring 42 to help Hobart Hurricanes see off Melbourne Renegades by nine runs. 

Like fellow compatriots du Preez and Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon impressed also by blitzing 36 off 23 balls to help her side reach 143 for 7 off their 20 overs. 

In response, Renegades struggled to get going and as a result, they were always behind the required run rate – making for a tough chase. They may have kept wickets in the bag for a late charge with Lizelle Lee (38), Courtney Webb (32) and Amy Satterthwaite (30) all making valiant contributions; however, they failed to create pressure with the bat, allowing Hobart to win. 

_{Chloe Tryon played her part in helping Hobart win}

Still all to play for 

With Hobart Hurricanes’ win over Melbourne Renegades, they now sit one point off a semi-final spot after Adelaide missed out against Stars. 

Fourth and eighth are separated by three points, meaning all teams are still in contention for reaching the final four. Those teams in the bottom half will be thanking the rain which caused so many points to be shared. For the neutrals out there, it makes for a really exciting finish to this competition.