![Rain played spoilsport at Melbourne today during WBBL 2023. [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/371886.webp "Rain played spoilsport at Melbourne today. [Image: Getty]")
A rain-marred encounter between the Melbourne sides at the Women’s Big Bash League 2023 (WBBL 2023) saw the Renegades lose to the Stars by eight wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) thereby drawing curtains on a dismal campaign for both teams.
Stars won the toss and decided to bat first. The opening duo of Sophia Dunkley and Maia Bouchier got off to a brisk start and as the latter was dismissed for a four-ball duck, the Stars were struck with their first setback as Georgia Prestwidge was tremendous in her opening ball spell.
The first boundary of the Melbourne derby! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/3t5PMm5bjx
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 25, 2023
Dunkley who hit three boundaries was unable to capitalise on her start and was out for 14 as Hayley Matthews got her LBW. Alice Capsey was the next to be dismissed as Prestwidge got her for a two-ball duck. The Stars were staring at a total of 20/3 at the four-overs mark during the game of WBBL 2023.
Annabel Sutherland and Tess Flintoff were the standout performers for the Stars as they struck a beautiful partnership and helped the Stars climb out of the tough phase in the game. Stars’ skipper Sutherland was forthcoming cashing in on the loose deliveries, and scoring some crucial boundaries.
"Bowler, bowler, bowler!"
Georgie Wareham does indeed throw to the bowler's end… and Hayley Matthews does the rest! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/mQR8WRKUG7
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 25, 2023
Supporting her equally in this venture was Tess Flintoff who looked to attack and keep the scoreboard ticking. Sutherland’s knock came to an end for 36 off 28 as the Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur got her prized wicket. Coming back to the attack, Kaur was once again decisive to get rid of Tess Flintoff who could not make the most of her stay at the crease.
Eventually, the cameo of 14 by Sophie Reid coupled with a crucial 20 by Nicole Faltum helped the Stars catapult to a total of 118. The Renegades had a decent bowling performance as Hayley Matthews, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Wareham and Harmanpreet Kaur scalped two wickets each in the WBBL 2023 game.
Nooooo 😭
Rain falls at the MCG and players leave the field to take cover #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/LMYetlGag2
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 25, 2023
The target was set for the Renegades to chase down and end the season on a high. The Stars however got off to the perfect possible start as Kim Garth got Tammy Beaumont and Emma De Broughe out cheaply.
With Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur at the crease, the rain gods decided to interfere during the Melbourne derby of the WBBL 2023 and play spoilsport and owing to the DLS method calculations; the Stars were accorded an eight-run win.
Christmas has come early for the lucky fans who stuck around til the end at the MCG tonight! 🎁🤩 #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/j1hITBLiev
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 25, 2023
WBBL 2023: Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades Brief Scores
Melbourne Stars 118 all out in 20 overs (Annabel Sutherland 36, Tess Flintoff 22; Harmanpreet Kaur 2/13, Georgia Wareham 2/18, Hayley Matthews 2/20) beat Melbourne Renegades 27/2 in 5.3 overs (Hayley Matthews 17*, Kim Garth 2/2) by eight runs through the DLS method.
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