Cricket

Perth Scorchers emerged victorious in their WBBL clash against Brisbane Heat at the WACA, securing a 28-run win. Beth Mooney's crucial half-century and Alana King's exceptional five-wicket haul proved instrumental in the Scorchers' triumph.Mooney's innings was a tale of two halves. Initially struggling against Shikha Pandey's pace, she gradually found her rhythm and played a pivotal role in rescuing her team from a precarious position. Her 77 runs off 54 deliveries, including nine boundaries, propelled the Scorchers to a competitive total of 142 for 8.Brisbane Heat's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost both openers within the powerplay. Grace Harris's aggressive start was short-lived, and the Heat found themselves struggling at 38 for 3. Laura Harris's valiant 40 off 21 balls briefly threatened to turn the tide, but King's devastating spell in the final overs extinguished any hopes of a Heat victory.King's five-wicket haul, her best in the WBBL, was a testament to her exceptional skill and accuracy. She claimed the last four wickets in quick succession, including the crucial dismissal of Laura Harris, to seal the win for the Scorchers.The Scorchers' victory improved their record to 2-1, while the Heat dropped to 2-2. Mooney's late-innings heroics and King's match-winning performance were the key factors in the Scorchers' success.

Trent Rockets' Aussie duo Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King orchestrated a dominant 31-run victory over London Spirit at Trent Bridge, snapping a three-game losing streak.Gardner and King combined for six wickets, dismantling a star-studded Spirit lineup that failed to chase down a modest target of 158 for 5. Youngster Grace Scrivens led the Rockets' batting charge with a scintillating 55 from 43 deliveries, sharing a 74-run opening stand with Bryony Smith.Despite losing Sciver-Brunt early, Heather Graham's unbeaten 22 from 12 balls propelled the Rockets to a competitive total. Spirit's chase faltered from the outset as Gardner dismissed Georgia Redmayne and Cordelia Griffith in quick succession. King then removed Meg Lanning, while Gardner trapped Dani Gibson lbw.Heather Knight's dismissal at the hands of King effectively sealed the victory for the Rockets. Gardner and King finished with identical figures of 3 for 23 from 20 balls, restricting Spirit to 127 for 7."It was huge for us," said Gardner, the Meerkat Match Hero. "It was probably the first game we put all three facets of the game together. The openers did a fantastic job, and we were pretty clean in the field. It was a pretty perfect performance."The Rockets' victory was a testament to their all-around performance, with Scrivens' batting brilliance, Gardner and King's bowling prowess, and a solid fielding display. It will serve as a confidence booster for the team as they look to climb the standings in the remaining matches of The Hundred.

Trent Rockets commenced their Hundred campaign with a resounding 20-run victory over Northern Superchargers at Headingley, showcasing the prowess of their spin attack.Chasing a modest target of 124 on a dry pitch, the Superchargers faltered, mustering only 103 all out in 97 deliveries. Australian legspinner Alana King emerged as the tormentor-in-chief, claiming two crucial wickets for just 17 runs. Her mesmerizing delivery that dismissed Bess Heath would have drawn applause from the legendary Shane Warne.Lucy Higham's valiant 26 was the highest score for the Superchargers, but King, alongside fellow spinners Kirstie Gordon and Ash Gardner, tightened the screws. Aussie seamer Heather Graham also impressed with three wickets for 13 runs.Earlier, Grace Scrivens set the tone for the Rockets, showcasing her brilliance with six boundaries in her 32-run knock off 22 deliveries. However, her innings was cut short by Annabel Sutherland, who also accounted for Bryony Smith's wicket.Nat Sciver-Brunt, in a commendable all-round performance, remained unbeaten on 36 from 34 balls. Despite her efforts, the Superchargers' fielding was exceptional, restricting the Rockets to 123 for 5. Sutherland's three wickets, including Katie George's lbw dismissal, proved crucial in limiting the visitors' total.The Superchargers' batting faltered, falling short of the target as the Rockets secured a commanding victory."The wicket offered some turn and grip, which was beneficial for us," King remarked. "We kept our plans simple and it paid off. I relish pitches with some spin, and I'm delighted to have contributed."King expressed her satisfaction with the delivery that bowled Heath, describing it as a "leg-spinner's dream." She also praised the contributions of fellow Australians Gardner and Graham, highlighting the team's camaraderie.

In a thrilling red-ball encounter in Adelaide, CA Green and CA Gold played out a captivating draw, with the bowlers taking center stage on the final day.After CA Green declared their first innings at 355 for 3, thanks to a magnificent double century from Georgia Voll, CA Gold responded with a formidable 350 for 4 declared. Emma de Broughe and Nicole Faltum both notched up centuries for Gold.In the second innings, CA Green posted 259, with Alana King and Heather Graham combining to take seven wickets and put their side in a strong position. King's 4-52 and Graham's 3-38 proved crucial in restricting Gold's chase.However, de Broughe's unbeaten 86* kept Gold in the hunt, as they reached 173 for 7 at the close of play. The match ended in a draw, with CA Green unable to force a victory despite their impressive bowling performance.Voll's double century was a testament to her exceptional batting skills, while de Broughe's consistent performances throughout the match highlighted her status as one of Australia's most promising young players.The match provided valuable red-ball experience for both teams, as they prepare for the upcoming domestic season. The bowlers' ability to make an impact on the final day demonstrated the importance of all-round skills in the longer format of the game.