Proteas Women star opener Lizelle Lee hammered a sensational undefeated 102 off 56 balls for the Melbourne Stars Women to down the Sydney Sixers Women in the second match of the 2018 Women’s Big Bash League in Melbourne.
Lee’s wonder innings included 16 fours and three sixes and came at a strike rate of 182.14 as she dominated her side’s winning score of 166-3 off 17.2 overs, deservedly earning her the Player of the Match award.
Lee shared an undefeated fourth-wicket stand of 76 with Proteas teammate Mignon du Preez, who was undefeated on 33 off 27 balls, with four fours.
Proteas teammate Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp were on the losing side, Van Niekerk returning figures of 3-0-22-1 (econ 7.33), while Kapp was the most economical of the Sixers bowlers, going for just 6.50 runs to the over (0-26).
Van Niekerk and Kapp both failed make an impression with the bat, scoring 2 and 0 respectively in the final flurry for runs, both being bowled by Nicola Hancock.
Sydney Sixers Women 165-7
Melbourne Stars Women 166-3 (17.2 overs)
In the earlier match which kicked off the 2018 Big Bash, the Perth Scorchers nipped a thrilling victory off the Hobart Hurricanes after Erin Fazackerley (38 off 16 balls, 4×3, 3×6, S/R 237.50) and Georgia Redmayne (49 off 48 balls, 4×4, S/R 102.08) had taken their side to 143-7 off their 20 overs. Heather Graham took 3-25 (econ 6.25) for the Scorchers.
Scorchers opener Elyse Villani got the chase off to a great start, scoring 58 off 39 balls with eight fours (S/R 148.71) to take home the Player of the Match honours.
However, the Scorchers owed victory to a superb last five overs charge by Lauren Ebsary (40 not out off 27 balls, 6×4, S/R 148.14) and Chloe Piparo (26 not out off 16 balls, 4×4, S/R 162.50), with Piparo hitting a four to win the match with three balls to spare.
Sasha Maloney’s 2-19 (econ 6.33) was the best effort with the ball for the Hurricanes in a losing cause.
Hobart Hurricanes Women 143-7
Perth Scorchers Women 147-4 (19.3 overs)
Photo: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images
