Molino and Matthews eliminated Renegades and finished in the top 2

SOPHIE Molino and Hayley Matthews put in stunning performances as the Melbourne Renegades demolished the Sydney Thunder by nine wickets at the Junction Oval to secure second place in the WBBL 2024 league stage. Molino took 4 for 23 as the Renegades reduced the Thunder to 133, a target they then caught up in just 14.2 overs thanks to the unbeaten Hayley Matthews. 60 from 37 and her 95-run performance from Molineux (42* from 29).

The dominant victory not only increased the Renegades’ net run, but also allowed them to leapfrog their opponents and climb to the top of the standings. While this result guaranteed them a top two finish, the finals venue will be determined by tomorrow’s Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat game, with the Heat needing a big win to move past the Renegades.

Despite losing openers Chamari Atapattu and Georgia Fall in the first three overs, the Thunder’s decision to bat first was vindicated by the aggressive delivery of Phoebe Litchfeed, who hit six boundaries in her 17-ball 30, even as Talia Wilson anchored at the other end. However, after reaching 95 for 3 in the 12th over, they imploded, losing their last seven wickets for just 38 runs. Molino bowled as many as 12 dot balls in four overs and walked away with a four-wicket haul. It took a lower-level cameo from Sammy-Joe Johnson (21 of 19) to push the Thunder’s total to 130.

That proved no problem for the Renegades, who cruised to their fifth win on the bounce when Courtney Webb hit five boundaries in the opening stand of 42 in just 5.4 overs. This is how the pair of Matthews and Molineux appeared, who played the total in just 52 goals. Matthews hit seven fours and a pair of sixes while Molineux hit as many fours and sixes in her unbeaten 42.

Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes kept their WBBL final hopes alive with a thrilling three-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers, who were eliminated by defeat at their home ground.
After dismissing Perth for a paltry 138, the Hurricanes were able to chase down the target with 14 balls to spare thanks to a crucial unbeaten 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Catherine Bryce (34*) and Lauren Smith (16*).

Hobart initially reached 51/0 in just five overs, thanks to Liesel Lee’s quick 44 off 22 balls, but then the top and middle order collapsed against Sophie Devine (4 for 26), who removed Heather Graham and Susie Bates in quick succession before than the bowling of Tabitha Saville and Molly Strano in the same final. The result left Hobart reeling at 95/7 in the 13th over. Bryce and Smith then steadied the service, leading the team to a victory that lifted them to fourth in the table with 10 points.

Perth had earlier looked set for a strong total of 105/2 in the 14th over, led by Beth Mooney’s 50 and Devine’s 28 from 22. But a dramatic collapse followed as the Scorchers were bowled out for 8 for 33 and were bowled out for 138. Amy Smith (3 for 17) was the outstanding bowler, supported by Lauren Smith (2 for 24), with four coasting. carried out by the field unit to support the bowling team.

While the Hurricanes appear to have already made it to the finals, the Sydney Sixers are one of the teams that can beat them. But to do that, the Sixers must beat the Brisbane Heat by a fairly large margin on Monday. (Crickbuzz)