Sophie Devine delivered a match-winning spell of 4/19 as Perth Scorchers Women defended a modest total of 124/9 to defeat Melbourne Stars Women by 15 runs in the eighth match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026–27 at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on November 2. The New Zealand all-rounder led a remarkable bowling performance as the Stars were dismissed for 109 in 18.1 overs.
Perth appeared to be in trouble after losing nine wickets while batting first, with Melbourne’s bowlers sharing the wickets throughout the innings. However, Devine and Alana King turned the match around with seven wickets between them, overcoming Meg Lanning’s determined 41 to secure another important victory for the Scorchers.
Melbourne Stars Restrict Perth Scorchers to 124/9
Melbourne Stars captain Meg Lanning elected to field first, and her bowlers responded with a disciplined performance.
Perth Scorchers made a promising start, reaching 36 without loss after four overs. However, Sophie Day broke the opening partnership by dismissing Katie Mack for 12.
Beth Mooney contributed 17 from 15 deliveries before falling to Dani Gibson, while Freya Kemp briefly accelerated the scoring with 10 from just five balls.
The Scorchers then suffered a dramatic middle-order collapse.
Charlie Dean dismissed Sophie Devine for 11, while Day removed Mikayla Hinkley for three. Maisy Gibson accounted for Fatima Sana and Chloe Piparo, leaving Perth struggling at 76/7 after 11 overs.
With most of their recognised batters dismissed, the Scorchers relied on their lower order to push the total beyond 100.
Alana King contributed 18 from 21 balls, while Chloe Ainsworth scored 16 from 17 deliveries. Lilly Mills remained unbeaten on 13 as Perth eventually finished on 124/9 from 20 overs.
Day returned excellent figures of 2/17 from four overs, while Maisy Gibson was particularly economical with 2/10 from three overs.
Dean also claimed two wickets, finishing with 2/29.
Notably, Perth’s total included 21 extras, including five penalty runs awarded when the ball struck a fielding helmet.
Sophie Devine Strikes Twice in the Powerplay
Chasing just 125 for victory, Melbourne Stars suffered an immediate setback when Chloe Ainsworth dismissed Rhys McKenna for a first-ball duck.
Amy Jones briefly counterattacked with 18 from 16 deliveries, but Devine struck in her first spell to remove the wicketkeeper-batter.
Devine then dismissed Annabel Sutherland for a duck, leaving Melbourne at 30/3 after four overs.
The early wickets placed considerable pressure on captain Meg Lanning, who attempted to rebuild the innings.
Lanning scored 41 from 36 balls, striking three boundaries and a six, while Charlie Dean contributed 13 from 18 deliveries.
The pair added 36 runs for the fifth wicket, taking Melbourne from 43/4 to 79/5.
However, Devine returned to dismiss Dean in the 13th over, providing Perth with another crucial breakthrough.
Alana King and Devine Complete Remarkable Defence
The match swung decisively in Perth’s favour when Amy Edgar dismissed Lanning for 41, leaving the Stars at 79/6 after 13.1 overs.
Georgia Prestwidge attempted to revive the chase with 13 from 13 balls, while Dani Gibson contributed eight.
However, Devine removed Gibson to complete her outstanding four-wicket haul.
Alana King then dismantled the lower order, dismissing Kim Garth for six and Maisy Gibson for a duck.
Lilly Mills claimed the final wicket when Prestwidge fell for 13, ending Melbourne’s innings at 109 in 18.1 overs.
Devine finished with exceptional figures of 4/19 from four overs, including 13 dot balls, while King returned 3/17 from four overs, including a maiden.
Ainsworth, Edgar and Mills claimed one wicket each as the Scorchers completed a remarkable 15-run victory.
Devine was named Player of the Match for her decisive bowling performance, which transformed what had appeared to be a difficult position for Perth.
The victory followed the Scorchers’ commanding nine-wicket success against Melbourne Renegades on October 31, giving Perth another strong result in the opening stages of the competition.
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars – Match Summary
Perth Scorchers Women – 124/9 in 20 Overs (Alana King 18 (21), Beth Mooney 17 (15), Chloe Ainsworth 16 (17); Maisy Gibson 2/10, Sophie Day 2/17, Charlie Dean 2/29)
Melbourne Stars Women – 109 all out in 18.1 Overs (Meg Lanning 41 (36), Amy Jones 18 (16), Charlie Dean 13 (18); Sophie Devine 4/19, Alana King 3/17)
Result: Perth Scorchers Women won by 15 runs.
Player of the Match: Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) – 4/19 and 11 (13)
