In a thrilling preliminary final, Beth Mooney delivered a stellar performance, guiding the Perth Scorchers to a hard-fought 11-run victory over the Sydney Sixers. With this win, the Scorchers secured their place in the WBBL grand final, set to take place in Hobart on March 18, 2024. Mooney’s explosive innings of 76 runs off just 44 balls was pivotal in setting a challenging target of 184 runs for the Sixers.
Dominant Display by Mooney
Mooney, who has been in exceptional form throughout the tournament, showcased her skills at North Sydney Oval on Thursday night. After the Scorchers set the Sixers a daunting chase, the match appeared to be a contest as the Sixers began their innings positively. However, the turning point came when Alana King delivered a remarkable bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs in her four overs. This effort significantly undermined the Sixers’ pursuit, ultimately leading to their defeat.
As the Sixers entered the final over needing 20 runs to win, Lilly Mills demonstrated composure under pressure, ensuring the Scorchers would advance to the final. Mooney’s impressive performance comes on the heels of her recent successes in the tournament, including a critical 94 not out in a must-win match against Brisbane last week.
Mooney’s contributions have made her the leading run-scorer in the tournament, surpassing 400 runs in 10 of the 11 seasons of the WBBL. She reflected on her journey, stating, “I’m pretty lucky I get to open the batting and face a lot of balls. I’ve had a lot of help along the way, a lot of conversations with different coaches.”
Sixers Fall Short Again
Despite Mooney’s brilliance, the Sixers began their innings with confidence, bolstered by early contributions from Sophia Dunkley and Ellyse Perry. However, the match shifted dramatically when Perry was caught at mid-wicket after scoring 29 runs. This wicket was crucial, leading to a series of setbacks for the Sixers, with King striking again to remove key players like Gardner and Maitlan Brown.
As the Sixers struggled to build partnerships, their hopes of achieving the highest successful finals chase in WBBL history dwindled. Ultimately, the team’s title drought extends to eight seasons, a frustrating outcome for a club that was prominent in the league’s early years.
With the final match looming, all eyes will be on Mooney and the Scorchers as they prepare to face their next challenge. The excitement surrounding the upcoming grand final promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the WBBL story.
