A classy half-century from Indian opener Yastika Bhatia has powered the Melbourne Stars to a comprehensive seven-wicket WBBL win over Hobart.
Nicola Carey (44 off 43) and Chloe Tryon (35 off 33) lifted the Hurricanes to 7-133 batting first at Junction Oval on Sunday.
But the Stars were always on top in the run-chase, reaching their target comfortably with 13 balls to spare.
Bhatia top-scored with 57 from 46 balls in a tally of 3-136 for the hosts, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter striking seven fours and one six in a superb knock.
Meg Lanning (27 off 21) and captain Annabel Sutherland (26 not out off 20) also played important roles with the bat.
“Meg really helped me when I was in the middle in the (power) surge,” Bhatia told Fox Sports.
“She told me exactly what the bowlers were going to bowl, so it helped me out in the middle.
“Also, my family is here, so it’s a special moment for me.”
Heather Graham (2-30 off four overs) removed both Stars openers, and Carey (1-29, four overs) claimed the key wicket of Lanning.
Stars Marizanne Kapp (2-28, four overs) and Kim Garth (2-21, three overs) helped put the clamps on Hobart.
Indian offspinner Deepti Sharma took 1-27 from four overs in her first Stars appearance.
The Stars improved their season record to 3-1 with Sunday’s win, while Hobart have slipped to 2-2.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au