Clinical Scorchers Women pick up fourth win

Clinical Scorchers Women pick up fourth win

Heather Graham's fine all-round display, aided by Katherine Brunt early strikes, helped Perth Scorchers consolidate their second spot in the points table with their fourth win in the second edition of Women's Big Bash League as the visitors defeated Adelaide Strikers by six wickets in New Year Eve's clash on Saturday (December 31).

Brunt picked up two early wickets and affected as many run outs that dented the home side's innings early after Strikers opted to bat. Graham then chipped in with two wickets that limited the hosts to a sub-part 82 for 9 from their allotted quota of overs. Despite suffering a top-order collapse themselves, Scorchers recovered well, courtesy Graham's unbeaten 27 and Nicole Bolton's 28 not out.

Strikers were left ruing their decision to bat after being reduced to 6 for 3 inside the first three overs, with Brunt running out Alex Price for a five-ball duck before trapping the in-form Sophie Devine (2) in front of the wickets three deliveries later.

Tahila McGrath offered some resistance with a 31-ball 27, striking a crucial 38-run stand with Bridget Patterson (14) that laid the platform for a respectable total. Patterson fell first, to Brunt, when Strikers were still six shy of the 50-run mark and McGrath followed soon after, leaving the home side reeling at 52 for 5. Shelley Nitschke (16) rallied around with the tail to take them to 82. Scorchers affected as many as four run outs in the field.

In reply, the visitors did not have an ideal start either with Megan Schutt getting rid of skipper Suzie Bates and Chloe Piparo cheaply leaving the visitors in a spot of bother at 7 for 3. However, Bolton struck two useful stands with Lauren Ebsary (34 runs) and Graham (44 runs) that ensured they overhauled the target without much hassle.

While the senior partner played a subdued knock, Graham played a quickfire cameo to back up a fine bowling spell earlier in the day. Fittingly, she hit the winning runs - a six - to polish off the chase with more than four overs to spare.

Brunt's early strikers earned her the Player of the Match award.

Bief scores: Adelaide Strikers Women 82/9 from 20 overs (Tahila McGrath 27; Katherine Brunt 2-14, Heather Grahan 2-12) lost to Perth Scorchers Women 85/4 in 15.5 overs (Nicole Bolton 28*, Heather Graham 27*; Megan Schutt 2-16) by six wickets.