The Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers WBBL clash on Thursday delivered high drama at Junction Oval. Perth Scorchers chased down 151 runs to defeat defending champions Melbourne Renegades by four wickets with eight balls remaining. Consequently, this victory moved the Scorchers up to fourth position in the WBBL 2025 standings.
Sophie Devine produced an all-round masterclass for the Scorchers. First, she claimed 2 for 16 from her bowling spell, taking the crucial wicket of Sophie Molineux for just five runs. Subsequently, Devine opened the batting and smashed a blistering 46 runs from only 24 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.
Renegades started their innings poorly after being put in to bat. Both openers fell cheaply, while captain Sophie Molineux departed early. Therefore, the home side struggled at 34 for 3 after five overs. Moreover, Alice Capsey was bowled by Lily Mills shortly after the team reached the 50-run mark.
Georgia Wareham provided some resistance with a quick 21 runs before falling. However, the Renegades continued to stumble at 94 for 7 in the 13th over. At this point, the situation looked desperate for the defending champions.
Nevertheless, Nicole Faltum and Sarah Coyte staged a remarkable recovery. The pair added 46 runs in just six overs through a quickfire eighth-wicket partnership. Faltum remained unbeaten on 41 from 28 deliveries, hitting six boundaries. Meanwhile, Coyte contributed 24 runs from 18 balls before being run out.
Despite the late surge, Renegades were bundled out for 150 on the last ball of their 20 overs. Chloe Ainsworth delivered a miserly spell of 2 for 17 from her four overs. Additionally, Amy Edgar claimed two wickets while Devine’s two scalps proved crucial.
Perth Scorchers began their chase confidently. Beth Mooney and Devine opened the batting and put on 57 runs for the first wicket. Furthermore, Devine attacked aggressively from the start, hitting Bekker for a four and six in the first over.
Devine continued her assault on Issy Wong, smashing three boundaries in the second over. She also took down captain Molineux for 15 runs in one over. Consequently, the Scorchers appeared to be cruising at 116 for 2 in the 13th over.
Sarah Coyte eventually dismissed the dangerous Devine, but Mooney kept the momentum going. She hit Wong for two boundaries as the bowler’s difficult night continued. However, a dramatic collapse suddenly changed the match complexion.
Georgia Wareham bowled Maddy Darke for 15, breaking the comfortable partnership. Two balls later, Alice Capsey had opener Mooney stumped for 41. The English spinner then delivered a stunning 14th over, claiming three wickets to leave Scorchers reeling.
Capsey first removed Mooney through a stumping, then bowled Paige Scholfield and caught her off her own delivery two balls later. She completed her remarkable over by dismissing Chloe Ainsworth. Therefore, the Scorchers found themselves in major trouble at 118 for 6, requiring 33 runs from 36 balls.
Capsey finished with exceptional figures of 4 for 14 from her three overs of off-spin. Her brilliant spell had given Renegades a genuine chance of victory. Nevertheless, the experienced bowler’s efforts ultimately went in vain.
Freya Kemp and Lily Mills held their nerve during the tense situation. The young duo stopped the rot and guided Perth through the crisis. Kemp remained unbeaten on 18 from 14 balls, while Mills contributed 15 not out from 16 deliveries.
Both players showed maturity beyond their years, carefully accumulating runs while maintaining composure. Consequently, they steered the Scorchers to 151 for 6 with eight balls to spare, securing a crucial victory.
The result meant Renegades missed the opportunity to join Hobart Hurricanes at the top of the WBBL ladder. Instead, they remained in third position on eight points. Meanwhile, Perth Scorchers also finished on eight points but sit fourth due to an inferior net run-rate.
Renegades face Melbourne Stars in a big local derby on Saturday. Both sides are tied on points, with Stars currently in second place. Therefore, the upcoming match presents another opportunity for Renegades to climb the ladder.
The Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers encounter showcased the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Despite Capsey’s heroic four-wicket haul threatening to snatch victory, Devine’s explosive innings and composed finishing from Kemp and Mills ensured the Scorchers claimed a memorable four-wicket triumph in this thrilling WBBL contest.
