Well, that's it from this encounter! The Melbourne Stars Women were comprehensive throughout the game and have booked their place in the final. The Scorchers will be disappointed but they can be proud of their journey. The second semi-final takes place on Thursday, 26th November 2020 as defending champions, Brisbane Heat Women lock horns against Sydney Thunder Women. That cracker of a contest begins at 1910 local (0810 GMT). We hope to have your company for that game. Until then, goodbye and take care!
For her brilliant bowling display, Alana King is named the Player of the Match. Alana starts off by saying that it was an unbelievable performance. Adds finishing on top of the table was good and she is happy that they have made it to the final. Adds that she is happy to play her part in the team. Says that it was tough at the start but now she is loving it. Tells that they won't be too bothered about who wins on Thursday and meets them in the final but will just focus on their own preparations.
Earlier in the evening, Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bowl. A decision her bowlers backed as they were brilliant with the ball and in the field and they restricted Perth Scorchers Women to a below par score of 125. Alana King was the chief tormentor as she spun her web all around the Scorchers battting. A lot of PSW batters got the start but they were unable to kick on and were at least 20 runs short on a pitch that looked good to bat on.
It was always going to be tough to defend 126 on a pitch that was going to get better to bat on. The Scorchers bowlers were taken aback by Stars' approach. The fact that they were 15-20 runs short did not help their cause. Sophie Devine, Heather Graham and Sara Glenn got one wicket each but that was not enough to put enough pressure on the Melbourne Stars Women.
Chasing a moderate score of 126, the Stars got off to a flier as Elyse Villani took the attack in the first over. Though they lost Elyse and Mignon du Preez inside the Powerplay. The plans from the Stars was simple, to make the most of the Powerplay. Meg Lanning did that and brought down the run rate well under 6. Once the skipper departed, Natalie Sciver and Annabel Sutherland stitched an unbeaten 67-run stand with Sciver being unbeaten on 47!
A very comprehensive win for the Melbourne Stars Women and they romp through to the Final for the first time in their WBBL history and become the first finalists of WBBL 2020!
16.2
4
FOUR! Sutherland finishes it off in style! She did not want to wait another minute out in the middle. On a good length on off, Sutherland lofts this one over the cover region and it crosses the ropes on a bounce for a boundary. MELBOURNE STARS WIN BY 7 WICKETS AND REACH THE FINALS!
16.1
1
A full toss on middle, Sciver works this towards mid-wicket. A single. Just 3 runs needed now.
In over# 1
0
2
1
0
2
4
Heather Graham 27/1(4)
15.6
.
On a good length on off, Annbel pushes this towards covers.
15.5
2
On a good length on off, Sutherland guides this towards third man for a couple.
15.4
1
On a good length on middle, Sciver punches this down the ground and collects a single.
15.3
.
A dot this time as this is worked towards mid-wicket.
15.2
2
A length ball on middle, Sciver flicks this towards deep square leg and the fielder in the deep does well to restrict this to just a couple.
15.1
4
FOUR! Wonderful stroke! Just 9 runs needed now! A full toss on middle, Sciver hammers this through mid-wicket to find the ropes.
In over# 1
1
1
4
6
0
1
Samantha Betts 19/0(3)
14.6
1
A single to end the over as Sciver works this towards long on. Just 13 needed off 30 balls.
14.5
1
On off, Annabel bunts this towards wide long off for a single.
14.4
4
FOUR! Follows up the six with a four now! A full ball on middle, Sutherland powers this one through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
14.3
6
SIX! That was HUGE! What a shot! On a good length on off, Sutherland looks to heave this over mid on but it takes the outer part of the bat and goes over the fence at long off for a biggie.