| Melbourne Stars 86-9 (20.0 overs): Brunt 22*; Johnson 2-11, Ismail 2-12 |
| Sydney Thunder 87-3 (13.4 overs): Knight 26*, Trenaman 23 |
| Thunder win by seven wickets |
| Scorecard |
Sydney Thunder crushed a poor Melbourne Stars by seven wickets to win the Women’s Big Bash League title.
The Stars elected to bat first but crumbled to 86-9, the lowest ever total in a WBBL final, against a superb Thunder bowling performance.
England captain Heather Knight (26 not out) hit a six to secure victory as she and Rachael Haynes (21 not out) eased their side to 87-3 off just 13.4 overs.
It is the Thunder’s second title, having won the first WBBL in 2015-16.
“I’m so chuffed, what a performance by the bowlers,” said Knight, who joined a largely young Thunder squad from Hobart Hurricanes this season.
“I’ve really enjoyed the move, the team has been awesome and it’s amazing to be a part of the start of their journey.”
Knight brings calm in the chase
Knight has proved to be a brilliant signing for a Thunder side that struggled last season.
She finished the tournament with 446 runs, the most by a Thunder player in a single WBBL campaign.
Though the Stars never truly threatened to defend such a low total, Katherine Brunt removed England team-mate Tammy Beaumont for 16 before Rachel Trenaman (23) and Sammy-Jo Johnson (one) fell in quick succession.
But Knight used her experience to calmly accumulate alongside Thunder captain Haynes to make the result all-but safe, before both freed their arms to win the title with 38 balls to spare.
Knight saved the best for last with a towering six down the ground to wrap up a dominant win.
“There was so much belief, so much positivity in our team, I’m just so happy,” said Haynes.
More to follow
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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