Thunder dent Stars' top-two hopes with nine-wicket win
- Published
Sydney Thunder dented Melbourne Stars' hopes of a top-two finish in the WBBL with a rain-affected nine-wicket (DLS) win.
Victory for the Stars would have moved them two points clear of third-placed Sydney Sixers with a vastly superior net run-rate.
Instead, they risk being overtaken by the Sixers and Perth Scorchers (one point behind in fifth), who face Adelaide Strikers and winless Brisbane Heat, respectively, in their final league matches.
The second-placed side advances directly to the Challenger match, meaning they only have to win one knockout match to reach the final.
In a match shortened to 10 overs per side, Melbourne Stars made a promising start with a 36-run opening partnership from Meg Lanning and Rhys McKenna but slumped to 66-6.
England's Em Arlott (2-18), Georgia Voll (2-13), and Lucy Finn (2-10) shared the wickets.
Phoebe Litchfield and Voll then made light work of chasing a revised target of 76, smashing 66 off 38 in an explosive first-wicket stand, before Laura Harris sealed the win with a boundary with 17 balls to spare.