Duffin, Fazackerley hit fifties in Renegades, Hurricanes wins; Sixers collapse against Strikers

Yet another fifty by Jess Duffin and a half-century by Erin Fazackerley helped Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes defeat Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers, respectively, in the ongoing fifth edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). The day also saw Sydney Sixers' collapse as the side lost to Adelaide Strikers for the first time in the history of the tournament.
Lizelle Lee's belligerent 44-ball 70 went in vain for Stars as skipper Duffin's unbeaten 76 took Renegades home to a six-wicket win with one ball to spare. Sent in to bat first, Stars skipper Elyse Villani (45) and Lee stitched a 118-run opening stand before Erin Osborne (22 not out) pushed the score to a total of 162 for the loss of four wickets. For Renegades, Molly Strano and Maitlan Brown returned with two wickets each.
In reply, Renegades lost their openers Anna Lanning and T20 'chase specialist' Danielle Wyatt inside the second over. Tammy Beaumont (24), playing her final match of the season, rebuilt the innings along with Duffin, but before she could accelerate Tess Flintoff got rid of her. Duffin found support in Courtney Webb (30) and Georgia Wareham (17 not out) as she saw out the chase.
 

Jess Duffin the finisher!

Off the back of her match-winning half-century on Wednesday, she today smacked an unbeaten 76 to steer the @RenegadesWBBL to victory 👏 #WBBL05 pic.twitter.com/Nn83fE6JZk
— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 30, 2019

 
In Sydney, and Ellyse Perry-less Sixers faced yet another defeat. Despite electing to bat first, Sixers' top-order failed to make an impact and the side was restricted to 93 for the loss of nine wickets by Strikers, thanks to a three-wicket haul by Sarah Coyte and two wickets each picked up by Megan Schutt and Tahlia McGrath. Marizanne Kapp top-scored for Sixers with 20.
Chasing a mere 94, Strikers suffered an early hiccup as Kapp bowled Suzie Bates, bringing McGrath out to join Sophie Devine. Devine, with her unbeaten 46, and McGrath's handy 30 helped Strikers secure a convincing eight-wicket as Sixers' bowling unit remained clueless and failed to pick regular wickets.
Erin Fazackerley in action for Hobart Hurricanes. © Getty Images
In the game between Scorchers and Hurricanes, the latter's bowling department led equally by Tayla Vlaeminck, Nicola Carey and Maisy Gibson bundled out Scorchers for 107 after electing to bowl first. Scorchers suffered a couple of early blows as Vlaeminck cleaned up both openers - Amy Jones (4) and Meg Lanning (10). Natalie Sciver (21) and Nicole Bolton (21) tried to improve the team's fortunes, but facing an on point Hurricanes bowling line-up seemed too much for them.
In reply, Fazackerley's knock spread calmness in the dugout despite losing some big hitters, including Carey (4) and Heather Knight for a duck, early. The tall right-hander took the side to 95 for four before Samantha Betts dismissed her for a well-compiled 58. In the end, Corinne Hall (18*) and Chloe Tryon (14*) hastened Scorchers' defeat with some lusty blows.
Brief scores:
Melbourne Stars 162/4 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 70, Elyse Villani 45; Maitlan Brown 2-24) lost to Melbourne Renegades 163/4 in 19.5 overs (Jess Duffin 76*, Courtney Webb 30; Erin Osborne 2-36) by 6 wickets. PoM: Jess Duffin.
Sydney Sixers 93/9 in 20 overs (Marizanne Kapp 20' Sarah Coyte 3-9, Megan Schutt 2-12) lost to Adelaide Strikers 94/2 in 15.1 overs (Sophie Devine 46*, Tahlia McGrath 30; Marizanne Kapp 1-8) by 8 wickets. PoM: Sarah Coyte.
Perth Scorchers 107 in 20 overs (Nicole Bolton 21; Tayla Vlaeminck 2-19, Maisy Gibson 2-20) lost to Hobart Hurricanes 113/4 in 15.4 overs (Erin Fazackerley 58, Corinne Hall 18*; Taneale Peschel 2-33) by 6 wickets. PoM: Erin Fazackerley.