Harmanpreet, Webb and Hayward combine as Renegades thump Strikers

A decisive 93-run stand between Courtney Webb and Harmanpreet Kaur followed by a crafty bowling display led by Ella Hayward and Hayley Matthews helped Melbourne Renegades to a thumping upset win over defending WBBL champions Adelaide Strikers at the Junction Oval.

Webb made 49 not out and Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 43 as the pair controlled the second half of Renegades' innings against an impressive Strikers bowling unit to post a competitive 167 for 3 after being sent into bat.

Renegades spinners, led by Hayward and Matthews in the powerplay, as well as Sarah Coyte strangled Strikers in the chase. The trio picked up two wickets each and Coyte produced a stunning direct-hit run out off her own bowling to dismiss Bridget Patterson as Strikers' chase never gained any momentum against the disciplined bowling performance.

Renegades' batting display was steady without being spectacular. They were aided by some shoddy Strikers fielding with Jemma Barsby spilling two catches.

Strikers started well with Georgia Adams removing Matthews for 12, but she strangely only bowled one over for the innings. Tammy Beaumont and Josie Dooley both made starts and threatened to break free at times during a 51-run stand but neither were able to kick on. Both fell within an over of each other to leave Renegades precariously placed at 74 for 3 in the 10th over.

Harmanpreet and Webb assessed the situation and did not panic despite both scoring at less than a run-a-ball through the first 40 runs of their partnership, including only taking 14 runs off the power surge. But they scored 39 runs off the last 14 balls of the innings finding the boundary eight times against Amanda-Jade Wellington, Danielle Gibson and Megan Schutt. Webb struck five of them and Harmanpreet three.

The chase never got going as Hayward bowled four of the first nine overs of the innings and picked up the key wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Katie Mack. Hayward's lengths and lines were superb as she rarely gave the stumps away. Wolvaardt was stumped trying to launch over long-off but was completely deceived in flight. Mack was also beaten in flight as she miscued to mid-off.

Coyte dropped an easy catch in the deep off Tahlia McGrath that threatened to be costly but she more than made up for it with a stunning run out. Patterson drove a ball towards long-on and took off for a single, Coyte dived full length to her right, gathered in the right hand and threw in the one motion while laying on her stomach and produced a direct hit as Patterson tried to scramble back at the striker's end.

McGrath holed out off Matthews and the chase fell apart from there. Strikers lost their last seven wickets for just 21 runs. Harmanpreet and Georgia Wareham chimed in with two wickets each as India's captain was named player of the match.