WBBL: Perth Scorchers knock out Melbourne Stars

A dramatic collapse from a position of strength cost Melbourne Stars a spot in the WBBL 2025 Challenger as Perth Scorchers' bowlers scripted a come-from-behind 28-run victory at home. Meg Lanning and Amy Jones' 87-run partnership had the visitors cruising in the 174-run chase, but Stars lost 8 wickets for 44 runs at the backend to bow out.

Stars lost opener Rhys McKenna early, but Lanning and Jones quickly put the chase back on track with a stand of 87 in 10 overs. The visitors had just crossed 100 when Alana King had Jones stumped for 43. Lanning remained, but found no support as the chase unraveled.

Lily Mills dismissed Annabel Sutherland and Maia Bouchier in quick succession to reduce Stars to 112/4. Lanning fell for 49 at the start of the 17th over, and skipper Sophie Devine helped wrap up the tail with two wickets, restricting Stars to 145/9.

Earlier, a 107-run opening partnership between Katie Mack and Beth Mooney anchored Perth's innings after they opted to bat first. The pair started steadily, reaching 28 after the PowerPlay.

By the halfway mark, the run rate touched eight, with both batters in the thirties. Mack raced to a half-century but was dismissed for 52 by McKenna. Mooney followed soon after for 45.

Freya Kemp settled quickly, striking 30 off 12 balls, but the Stars bounced back, starving Scorchers of boundaries and taking key wickets. Maddy Darke found a couple of boundaries late, but a tight final over limited Scorchers to 173, which proved enough.

Brief scores:
Perth Scorchers 173/5 in 20 overs (Katie Mack 52, Beth Mooney 45; Rhys McKenna 2-26) beat Melbourne Stars 145/9 in 20 overs (Meg Lanning 49, Amy Jones 43; Alana King 2-25, Sophie Devine 2-20) by 28 runs.