Women’s Big Bash (Australia) Final, between Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars at the North Sydney Oval on 28 November.
Broadcast on Australian ‘ABC Sport radio’ and social media, ‘Five Live’ listeners were welcomed by broadcaster Jenny Wallace who mentioned there was a ‘good contingent from England.’ Tammy Beaumont with Heather Knight were playing for ‘Thunder’; and Katherine Brunt with Natalie Sciver were playing for ‘Stars.’
* Electing to bat, Meg Lanning’s Melbourne Stars scored very few runs from Sydney Thunders so-called ‘old-school swing.’ Tasked with ‘getting big wickets early in the game, South African pacer Shabnim Ismail snapped-up ‘Stars’ openers Australia’s Elyse Villani (4) and RSA team-mate Mignon du Preez (1).
* With less than fifty runs on the board, wickets falling like dominos and four dropped catches, commentators were uncertain if Stars could ‘blast their way out of a hole.’ Only England’s Katherine Brunt (22* off 27 balls) was said to have ‘stood-up’. Ironically Stars (86-9) set a new record lowest score during Big Bash ‘finals day.’
* Sydney Thunder were said to be ‘well and truly on top’ until England’s Tammy Beaumont (16 off 15) was struck on the pad above the knee-roll and dismissed ‘leg before.’ Thereafter, commentators commended Australia’s Rachel Trenaman (23 off 26) and England’s Heather Knight (26* off 19) for playing with ‘great composure.’
* Commentators ‘couldn’t believe what they’d seen’ – as Meg Lanning’s side crashed to defeat – adding that Heather Knight had bought ‘something extra’ to Rachael Haynes’ victorious team; and that Haynes and Knight were known affectionately as the ‘Boxing Day twins’ – with same-day birthdays on December 26th.
* Before the post-match presentation, ‘ABC Sport’ interviewed victorious Thunder players Samantha Bates (1-18) who said she was ‘clean shocked about the win.’ Also Lauren Smith (1-18) who was speechless.
* Match summary
Rachael Haynes’ Sydney Thunder skittled out Meg Lanning’s Melbourne Stars for the lowest ever score in a Big Bash women’s T20 final. Apart from the 30C heat, the conditions had been far from ideal, affected by lifestyle conditions. Players had been kept together in so-called ‘bio-bubbles’ to safeguard them from the pandemic virus (‘covid-19’.)
Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Stars by 7 wickets and 38 balls remaining
Sydney Thunder 87-3 (13.4 overs) Heather Knight 26*, Rachel Trenaman 23, Tammy Beaumont 19; Tess Flintoff 1-6; Katherine Brunt 1- 24, Alana King 1-30; Fow 24, 44, 54 Beat:
Melbourne Stars 86-9 (20 overs) Katherine Brunt 21*, Heather Sunderland 20; Shabim Ismail 2-12, Sammy-Jo Johnson 2-11, Hannah Darlington 1-15, Samantha Bates 1-18, Lauren Smith 1-18; Fow 3, 20, 20, 36, 37, 53, 66, 73, 86
