WBBL|11: Beth Mooney’s blistering knock powers Perth Scorchers into the Challenger after eliminating Melbourne Stars

Table of Contents

Perth Scorchers Women secured a commanding 28-run victory over Melbourne Stars Women in the high-stakes WBBL 2025-26 Knockout clash at W.A.C.A Ground on December 9.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Scorchers posted a formidable 173/5 in their 20 overs, setting a challenging target in the do-or-die encounter. Beth Mooney earned Player of the Match honours for her gritty 45 off 38 balls, anchoring the innings amid explosive contributions from teammates.​

Katie Mack ignited the Scorchers’ innings with a brisk 52 off 39 balls, featuring five boundaries, forging a century opening stand of 107 with Mooney in just 69 balls. The duo raced to 50 in 37 balls during the powerplay, capitalizing on the bouncy Perth pitch despite early pressure from Stars’ bowlers like Sasha Moloney, who conceded 36 runs. Mooney, striking at 118.42 with five fours, survived a sixth-over DRS review before falling to Kim Garth at 109/2 in the 13th over.​

Freya Kemp then unleashed fury, smashing 35 off 19 with three fours and two sixes, pushing the score past 150 by the 17th over amid a slow over-rate penalty. Maddy Darke (16* off 5) and Alana King (10* off 11) provided late fireworks, including three boundaries in the final overs, as Rhys McKenna claimed 2/26 and Annabel Sutherland leaked just 27 runs. The powerplay yielded 28 runs without loss, and the second powerplay added 19 despite a wicket, culminating in a defendable total boosted by 13 extras.​

Also WATCH: Ellyse Perry survives as bails stay intact despite ball hitting the stumps

Chasing 174, Stars started steadily with Meg Lanning‘s 49 off 45, including five fours and a six, building a 87-run second-wicket alliance with Amy Jones (43 off 33). They reached 50 in 44 balls but lost momentum post-drinks at 86/1, with Chloe Ainsworth striking early for 1/24. King (2/25) stumped Jones at 101/2, triggering a collapse where Sutherland (5), Maia Bouchier (2), and Danielle Gibson (8) fell cheaply via run-outs and catches.​

Sophie Devine (2/20) and Lilly Mills (2/19) dismantled the lower order, removing Lanning at 126/6 and Georgia Prestwidge at 135/7, as Stars limped to 145/9 despite 12 extras. The powerplay cost a wicket at 24 runs, and the second phase yielded just 11 runs for two scalps, with a late DRS on Moloney struck down. The win underscores Scorchers’ playoff pedigree at home.

Perth Scorchers have knocked Melbourne Stars out of WBBL|11#cricket #WBBL11

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 9, 2025

Also READ: WBBL|11: Ellyse Perry’s record-breaking century seals Sydney Sixers’ playoff return

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.