(Cricket news) Adelaide Strikers convincingly defeated Melbourne Renegades by 8 wickets with 15 balls to spare. Indian stars Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues played for the Renegades but failed to guide their side to victory.
Batting first, Jemimah Rodrigues opened the innings and managed only 13 off 17 balls hitting only 1 boundary in the process. Rodrigues tried to play the anchor after her side lost two quick wickets but top edged an Amanda-Jade Wellington ball straight to deep midwicket.
Harmanpreet came into bat when her side was in deep trouble at 21-2. The Indian skipper scored 41 off 37 balls. She hit 4 boundaries and 1 massive six in her innings. Unfortunately she fell 9 runs short of her century after she was caught at deep midwicket like her fellow teammate Jemimah Rodrigues. The Renegades only managed to score 126 runs. Defending the total Harmanpreet Kaur bowled 4 overs and picked up a wicket. Despite her efforts Melbourne Renegades lost the game.
Both Rodrigues and Kaur haven't been in the best of forms on the international stage. Both the players gained confidence by playing the hundred in England. Jemimah scored a well made 49 in the 1st W-T20I against Australia. The batter said after the innings that had it not been for her performance in the Hundred, she wouldn't be in the squad. Harmanpreet didn't play the One Day and Test against Australia due to injury and then failed to deliver with the willow in the T20s.
The pair's return to form will be so crucial for the Indian side before the World Cup. As of now India is not scheduled to play any match before the campaign therefore the 8 Indians in the WBBL will be looking to play their best cricket to prepare for the big tournament next year.
