Star opener Elyse Villani has led the way as WBBL heavyweights the Perth Scorchers returned to form with a confident eight-wicket win over Erin Osborne’s Melbourne Stars.
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Last season's finalists suffered rare double defeats last weekend and were without injured skipper Meg Lanning on Saturday but performed strongly with bat and ball at Casey Fields, Cranbourne East, to ease to victory.
Taking the new ball, Osborne provided some early joy for the Stars bowling Amy Jones the fourth ball of her first over and second of the innings, but the Scorchers eased past the home sides’ modest 9-124 with an over to spare.
Villani looked comfortable throughout in posting 52 not out off 49 balls, while Graham was equally at ease for her unbeaten 39 off 34 balls, the pair sharing an unbeaten stand of 73 for the third wicket.
Nicole Bolton contributed 23 at No.3 and the home side never looked like running through the Scorchers' top order.
The Stars, in contrast, found run-scoring a difficult proposition following some disciplined bowling.
The Stars opened brightly and reached 1-45 at better than a run a ball.
However, they lost 4-23 in the middle order as the brakes were put on the run rate.
No.6 Georgia Elwiss struck 26 to top-score as six batters reached double figures. Osborne was one of those making 12 off 19 before finishing with 1-19 from her four overs.
Four of their Scorchers' bowlers took two wickets apiece, with offspinner Emma King returning the best figures (2-12 off three overs).
The result leaves both sides with two wins from two outings, with the pair to meet again on Sunday at the same venue.
Australian Associated Press
