Erin Osborne was the match-winner for the Melbourne Stars as they upset the star-studded and finals bound Sydney Sixers on Monday to end their WBBL|04 campaign on a high.
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The Tamworth-raised allrounder steered the Stars to their second victory over the table-topping Sydney side with an unbeaten 34 as they chased for a five wicket win.
Batting first on a good MCG deck, Alyssa Healy charged out of the blocks with 35 off 21 but her dismissal sparked a dramatic collapse, with no other batter reaching double figures as the Sixers were bowled out for 92 in 19 overs.
Osborne claimed the second last wicket to finish with a very tidy 1-13 off her four, her economy rate of 3.25 the equal best for the Stars.
Stars leg-spinner Alana King did the damage with the ball, collecting 3-13 from her four overs in a player-of-the-match display, while fellow wrist spinner Kristen Beams was also outstanding, taking 3-11 from her three overs.
The Stars’ run chase got off to a shaky start, losing Lizelle Lee for a duck in the first over.
Mignon du Preez stepped up to the crease but was dismissed LBW by Van Niekirk.
Left the steady the ship Katey Martin, Angela Reakes led the charge scoring a quick-fire 22 before she was dismissed LBW.
Martin and Osborne were left with a bit of work to do, and both batters stepped up to the mark.
Martin was unlucky to be caught in the deep on 15, but Osborne and Annabel Sutherland combined to see the Stars over the line for their fifth win.
Osborne top-scored with 34 runs off 28 balls, smashing a four to see the Stars reach the target with 20 balls to spare.
It took her runs tally for the competition to 249 with a top score of 67 and two half-centuries.
With the ball she picked up nine wickets, her best performance 2-16.