The Melbourne Renegades have given their WBBL finals hopes a massive boost after Jess Duffin's brilliant knock steered them to a gripping six-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars.
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Duffin's masterful unbeaten 76 off 57 balls at the CitiPower Centre in St Kilda on Saturday took the Renegades to 4-163, passing the Stars' 4-162 with a ball to spare.
Anna Lanning and Danni Wyatt fell in the first seven balls to give the Stars firm control before Duffin expertly took hold of the chase.
After receiving solid support from Tammy Beaumont (24), Duffin put on 79 for the fourth wicket with Courtney Webb (30).
Webb fell to a spectacular one-handed grab at extra cover from Stars skipper Elyse Villani before Georgia Wareham (17 not out) helped Duffin across the line.
Earlier, Lizelle Lee crunched 70 off 44 balls and opening partner Villani stroked 45 to have the Stars well placed.
The pair combined for 118 for the opening wicket before the aggressive Lee fell to a terrific running catch in the outer from Lanning.
That sparked a collapse of 4-8 in the space of three overs with Maitlan Brown claiming 2-24 and Molly Strano 2-29, as the Gades clawed their way back.
The Renegades (7-6) are in a dogfight with the Sydney Sixers (6-6) and Sydney Thunder (5-7-1) for fourth spot which will be decided this weekend.
Australian Associated Press
