The Perth Scorchers today booked a spot in the inaugural Rebel WBBL finals series as they recorded a nine-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades in their last regular season fixture of WBBL|01.
On her 27th birthday, skipper Nicole Bolton won the toss and elected to bowl, after yesterday’s success with the ball first up.
The Renegades got off to a quicker start than yesterday, scoring six runs off Nicky Shaw’s opening over.
But, in came Katherine Brunt’s aggression which fast reflected how long she wanted the opening-wicket partnership to last.
The Englishwoman, combined with a Suzie Bates catch, removed Renegades dangerwoman Dane van Niekerk who yesterday scored 52 off 44, but could only manage a solidary run today.
Brunt gave the ball back to Shaw for the third, and Shaw one-bettered her old teammate, clean bowling Danni Wyatt for zip.
Rachel Priest began picking holes in Bolton’s field, smashing four boundaries and racing to 19 off just 13 balls.
But Brunt again decided she’d had enough; she took Priest’s wicket with the assistance of Heather Graham at deep mid wicket.
Brunt bowled at an economy of 3.50 taking 2-14 off her four overs.
Graham had an exceptional day in the field, taking two catches and one wicket of her own.
A 38-run sixth wicket partnership between Molly Strano and Cassie Brock led the Renegades to a total of 108 off their 20-overs.
Charlotte Edwards and Elyse Villani staged a 101-run opening-wicket partnership, which got off to a conservative, clever start.
The pair was happy to take singles of every ball – which made everyone laugh as they’re not known as the two fastest runners in the game.
Once they settled in, they smashed 11 fours and one six between them, picking every gap they could find.
The England skipper raised her bat after facing just 40 balls, but unfortunately fell just shy of carrying her bat.
By the time the Renegades could claim a wicket in the 15th over, the Scorchers only needed eight runs to win.
Suzie Bates and Villani brought up the victory in the 16th over, meaning Edwards, Villani and Bates were the only three to bat over the course of the weekend.
The win means both Scorchers teams will play in finals, which will take place as WBBL and BBL double-headers.
The Scorchers will face the Sydney Thunder in the semi-final on Thursday, and the venue will be confirmed after the completion of the last regular BBL|05 fixture tomorrow night.