Perth Scorchers just pulled off the win of the WBBL season so far. They defended a tiny 124 to beat Melbourne Stars by 15 runs at Junction Oval, making it two wins from two in WBBL|12.
The batters had a rough day. Sent in to bat first, Perth stumbled to 9-124, with Alana King (18) and Chloe Ainsworth (16) the only ones to pass 15. Then the bowlers turned it around.
Sophie Devine led the fightback with 4-19, and King made it a double act with 3-17 after her handy knock. The moment of the match belonged to 20-year-old Ainsworth, who threw herself full length to take a stunning diving catch and dismiss Amy Jones for 18. That catch knocked the wind out of the Stars’ chase (cricket.com.au match report).
Meg Lanning dug in with 41 for the Stars, but she got no support from the other end. They folded for 109 in 18.1 overs.
Here’s the thing about this win. Perth’s batters have not fired yet, but their bowling and fielding keep saving them. If Devine and King keep turning 120 into a winning score, the rest of the league is in trouble. Next up: the similarly undefeated Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Thursday — the winner takes top spot outright. We covered the other half of the Thunder’s record chase; the live scores keep updating on our live score page.
Who starred for the Scorchers?
Sophie Devine took 4-19 and Alana King claimed 3-17, while Chloe Ainsworth added a brilliant diving catch plus a wicket.
How did Melbourne Stars lose from here?
Their middle order fell apart under pressure. Only Meg Lanning’s 41 stood up while wickets tumbled at the other end.
Where do the Scorchers sit on the WBBL|12 table?
Two wins from two puts them among the early pace-setters with four points, behind only the Thunder on net run rate.
Last verified: 3 November 2026.