Overseas Firepower Delivers Stars To Victory

The Player: Back at her very best, English international Sophia Dunkley fired early for the Stars, blasting three fours and three sixes as she raced to 37 off just 24 deliveries. Striking at 154.17, Dunkley returned to her natural position at the top of the order in Meg Lanning’s absence on Sunday, thriving against the new ball throughout the powerplay as she displayed shades of confidence and aggression. 

The Moment: Sophie Reid was awesome with the gloves on, recording three dismissals for the Stars that ultimately proved crucial in securing the victory. Reid was on point throughout the innings, running out Georgia Redmayne with a direct hit, before a diving catch from Reid to remove key Heat batter Amelia Kerr allowed Annabel Sutherland to break an important partnership for the third wicket. Reid captured a second catch, tracking back to cover a fair amount of ground before claiming the scalp in the 19th over.

The Result: Stand in skipper Annabel Sutherland won the bat-flip, electing to bat in Melbourne, as the Stars donned their Indigenous Playing Top, designed by Sammy Trust, a Taungurung Woman of the Kulin Nation. Sutherland led the Stars to victory in her first match as captain, impacting the match with both bat and ball.

English duo Sophia Dunkley (37) and Maia Bouchier (41) powered the Stars to their highest powerplay score of the season, sitting at 0/41 after four overs. Their partnership of 56 came to an end in the 7th over, before Alice Capsey (24) combined with her fellow countrywomen to set the Stars up with a strong platform at 1/92 after 12 overs. 

Late innings dominance from Sutherland rocketed the Stars to 5/156, taking 17 runs from the final over. The skipper claimed two wickets with the ball, while Sasha Moloney played an important role in her milestone match, conceding just 19 runs from her four over spell in her 100th WBBL game.

BKT Golden Arm leader Sophie Day claimed player of the match honours with three wickets to her name, extending her tally to 23 wickets in WBBL|09, finishing with figures of 3-16 from her four overs. 

The Stars will face the Perth Scorchers at the WACA on Wednesday.