Lanning, Du Preez lift Stars to WBBL win

Wickets in hand proved the deciding factor in a match between the Melbourne Stars and the Adelaide Strikers in which runs were a plenty.

After an unassuming start following a run-out and just two runs from the opening over, the Stars set a daunting total of 158 to beat the Strikers by 19 runs, showing just what’s possible with two set batters in leading into the final overs.

In setting the Stars total, Mignon du Preez became the first Stars batter other than Meg Lanning to pass the 50 mark in the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League, ending unbeaten on 65 in a partnership of 156 with her captain.

Both Lanning (84no) and du Preez reached their half-centuries in emphatic fashion, with near identical strokes over the boundary rope at cow-corner for six. It was a slow but steady start for the home side, who were on just 49 after the first 10 overs.

However with wickets in hand and confidence building, du Preez and Lanning really accelerated in the last five overs of the innings amassing 70 runs off just 30 balls. Their’s was a masterclass in accumulation and acceleration.

"We know that if we can get 35-plus in the powerplay it’s usually crucial," said du Preez. "But to keep wickets in hand is also a really good thing - then we know that we can always accelerate later on, and I think we did that really well today."

The Strikers on the other hand, who started strongly and looked to be on course at the halfway stage (at 2-73) lost wickets at regular intervals to fall well short, despite a creative and near match-winning knock of 78no off 55 balls by England international Sarah Taylor.

If Lanning’s innings was defined by cover drives and slashing cut shots, then Taylor’s was one of ramps and dinky sweeps as the England international used the pace of the pitch to great effect. 

The Australian Open may be 10 days away but already a full array of back-hands and innovative chips were on display at the hands of Taylor, just down the road at the Junction Oval today.

The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter, whose form has been hot and cold in the tournament to date, was on fire in Melbourne, to the audible delight of the assembled crowd.

At a crucial juncture in the inaugural WBBL and with both the Strikers and Stars battling out for finals spots, the loss will be a tough one for the visitors to take.

Taylor, deflated after the match despite her own individual contribution, acknowledged that Adelaide were disappointed with their fielding efforts, especially going into the final overs. Du Preez was dropped when she was on 19 and runs that should have been singles were more often than not turned into twos by sloppy fielding.

"We were quite happy with where we were after 17 overs with the ball," said Taylor. "Unfortunately those last three overs got away from us and that probably cost us the game.

"I think if maybe another batter had maybe joined in with me, I’m not the biggest hitter of the ball so I needed someone to go with me. Happy to contribute but obviously gutted that we lost.

"It was such a good wicket and quick outfield that you’d think we might have got near to that total, but yes, absolutely gutted. We’ve got to take the positives out of that and move on.

"Our power-hitters got out; those sort of hitters unfortunately didn’t stick around. With that sort of total you’ve got to chance your arm a little bit and I guess you’d almost want to be 80-all out."

Sarah Coyte was the pick of the Strikers’ bowlers, bowling through her four overs at the top of the innings with tight lines and lengths to restrict the Stars to just 17 runs in her spell. However, in bowling out the Southern Stars seamer within the innings’ first eight overs, the visitors sorely missed Coyte’s disciplined approach in the latter stages.

Taylor picked out Kristen Beams as the Stars bowler she found toughest to face, the Southern Stars leg-spinner delivering an accomplished performance with figures of 0-23 off four overs in the tricky later stages of the match.

"T20 cricket can get away from you really quickly," admitted Taylor.

"And Beamsy bowled absolutely brilliantly to restrict us and I think her couple of overs with the ball probably got us away from the run-rate. It crept up during her overs and with those wickets lost, they cost us a little bit."

Fellow spinner and returning New Zealand international Morna Nielsen was equally impressive with 2-19 off her four, while each other Stars bowler contributed a wicket to their name.

Lanning now averages 249 in the WBBL at Junction Oval in what is fast becoming ‘Fortress Lanning’ and with six player-of-the-match performances from 10 appearances has cemented her place firmly at the top of the tournament’s run-scoring ladder.

The Stars will take much satisfaction with another batter producing the goods as they march on forward in the pursuit of a finals spot. The Strikers, meanwhile, have much to do if they are to reach them. 

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