The Melbourne Stars have claimed an unwanted WBBL record, producing the tournament’s lowest-ever score in an ugly loss to the Adelaide Strikers.
After putting 177 runs on the board in the first innings of Saturday night’s game, the Strikers bowled out the Stars for just 29 in nine overs – eclipsing the previous of record (66) held by both the Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes.
The 148-run margin – which topped the Perth Scorchers’ record of 104 over the Melbourne Renegades – and 54 balls faced by the Stars also made the history books.
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It included no Stars batsmen scoring in double figures – with Sophia Dunkley’s nine the highest – in a match they’ll happily put behind them after defeating the Sydney Sixers in their season opener earlier this week.
Adelaide’s Katie Mack (86) and Laura Wolvaardt (47) set the scene with a 135-run partnership for the home side at Karen Rolton Oval to lead it to a commanding first innings that was always going to be tough to compete with.
After a slow start from the visitors, albeit only losing one wicket in the first two overs, the Stars collapsed badly, falling to 5-14 by the fifth over as it was all but over rapidly.
Melbourne soon fell to 8-16 then 8-18 before Strikers skipper Tahlia McGrath soon ensured Melbourne’s tailenders couldn’t put on the first double-digit partnership by taking the final two wickets.
The Stars, who will hope to bounce against Adelaide in the reverse fixture in Melbourne next Tuesday, did at least avoid the record-lowest total set by the men’s Sydney Thunder of 15 last season.
Speaking to Fox Sports post-match, McGrath admitted she was “a little bit lost for words”.
“We started unreal with bat and ball … it‘s a perfect start,” the Strikers skipper said.
“It‘s a long tournament, it’s a tough tournament, so we’ll have to be at our best for the next six weeks.”
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