Strikers edge out Stars after collapse

Adelaide Strikers climbed to the third spot in the Women's Big Bash League table following a 22-run win over Melbourne Stars thanks to an all-round outing from Sophie Devine at the Casey Fields No 4 in Melbourne. In defence of 145, a collective effort with the ball helped them restrict the Stars to 122 for 9.

Strikers would have been disappointed with the total they got to in their quota of overs after a strong second-wicket partnership between Tammy Beaumont and Sophie Devine, which amounted to 78 runs. Both got starts, but failed to convert them to substantial knocks; Beaumont was dismissed for 46, while Devine made a 33-ball 44 - taking on the role of the aggressor. She smashed two sixes and four fours in her quick-fire knock.

Bridget Patterson got a handy 22, and Tahlia McGrath contributed 11 towards the end as they got to a defendable total on Friday (January 5). Georgia Elwiss was the pick of the bowlers for the Stars with two wickets conceding just 22 runs in her four overs.

Stars' wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee and Anna Lanning gave the Stars the perfect start with an opening stand of 73, but they lost their way soon after losing wickets in a clump. Lanning took the backseat, tottering to a 34-ball 24, but Lee was all over Strikers' bowlers, before slowing down eventually. Her knock of 44 comprised of five fours and two sixes, in 42 balls, before she fell to Alex Price.

Mignon du Preez and Katie Mack had 16-run cameos, but eventually, the Stars slipped from 92 for 1 to 115 for 6, thus conceding momentum to the Strikers. After contributions from the top five, the lower-middle and tail accounted for three ducks. Price, Devine and Megan Schutt returned with two wickets each.

The Stars are currently at the seventh spot, just above Hobart Hurricanes, with just the solitary win in six games.

Brief scores: Adelaide Strikers Women 144/5 in 20 overs (Tammy Beaumont 46, Sophie Devine 44; Georgia Elwiss 2-22) beat Melbourne Stars Women 122/9 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 44, Anna Lanning 24; Megan Schutt 2-24, Alex Price 2-21, Sophie Devine 2-10) by 22 runs.