Image Credit- Getty
Perth Scorchers secured a crucial WBBL victory at
Allan Border Field with to a century-scoring performance by captain Sophie
Devine, who also captured two wickets in a dominant Brisbane Heat match.
Following their submission, Devine’s explosive 106
from 62 deliveries in her fourth WBBL century served as the foundation for the
formidable Scorchers total of 192 for 3. She was dropped three times before
taking advantage of some shoddy Heat fielding. Having earlier amassed a seventh
century partnership with Beth Mooney, Devine batted through the innings.
Heat were left to regret such a careless fielding
effort, but they were still confident after nearly chasing down 205 against
Sydney Thunder in their previous game.
The important wicket appeared to be opener Grace
Harris, who is coming off a record 136 not out. On her fourth delivery, she
smashed a boundary off the bat of teenage speedster Chloe Ainsworth. However,
she was hit on the foot by an inswinging yorker that seemed to be missing the
stumps, and she was out on the next ball.
Within the following over, Devine maintained her
sensational form, firstly by dismissing Amelia Kerr with a return catch and
then coming close to dismissing Mignon du Preez when wicketkeeper Mooney
dropped her with a diving, one-handed effort.
Heat fell to 57 for 3, and Du Preez threatened to make
Scorchers pay until she holed out on 22 to fast Piepa Cleary. Devine returned
to action soon after, taking Charli Knott’s wicket, and Heat never really
threatened, even though Georgia Redmayne hit a lovely half-century.
After a last-ball home loss to Adelaide Strikers, the
Scorchers mounted an incredible comeback, and as a result, the clubs’ records
are tied at 5-3.