The Perth Scorchers Women pulled off a heart-stopping one-run victory over the Adelaide Strikers Women on Saturday night, November 22, 2025, at the WACA Ground in Perth — a match that will be remembered for its nerve-shredding finish, clutch bowling, and a captain’s knock that etched another name into league history.
A Game of Inches
The Scorchers, who won the toss and chose to bat first, were in deep trouble early. Their star opening pair — Beth Mooney and Katie Mack — were dismissed for just 12 runs combined inside the first four overs. It looked like another routine collapse. But then came Sophie Devine. The Scorchers captain, calm as ever, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 49 off 42 balls. Alongside her, English import Paige Scholfield smashed 46* in just 33 deliveries, turning what could’ve been a sub-130 total into a defendable 159 for 4. Devine’s innings also made her only the third woman in WBBL history to reach 4,000 career runs — joining Mooney and Ellyse Perry in elite company.What followed was a collapse of the opposite kind. The Strikers, chasing 160, looked in total control at 96 for 2 after 13 overs. Laura Wolvaardt was flying — 41 off 36 — and Madeline Penna was building a solid platform. But then came Amy Edgar. The 25-year-old off-spinner, who had barely been on anyone’s radar before this season, delivered the spell of her life. In a two-over burst, she ripped through the heart of the Strikers’ lineup, taking three wickets for just two runs. One of those was a hat-trick — including a run-out that counted as the second wicket in the over — turning the game on its head. By the 15th over, the Strikers were 121 for 6. The momentum had swung violently.
The Final Over That Broke Hearts
With 13 needed off the final over and one wicket left, the Strikers had a chance. Darcie Brown, their fiery pace bowler who had earlier claimed 2-25, stepped in to face Chloe Ainsworth. Four balls. 11 runs. The crowd was on its feet. A four. A single. A leg bye. Another four. The Strikers needed two off the last ball. Brown, under pressure, went for the sweep — and top-edged it. The ball looped high toward fine leg. Beth Mooney, the Scorchers’ wicketkeeper, sprinted, leapt, and caught it cleanly — avoiding a collision with non-striker Megan Schutt in the process. The stadium erupted. The Strikers were all out for 158. One run. One catch. One unforgettable finish."It was pretty hectic out there," said Chloe Ainsworth afterward, still catching her breath. "I think everyone held their nerve really well. We got across the line. Cricket’s a pretty funny game — but our bowlers did really well to hold their lengths and then end up taking the wickets that really killed the game."
What This Means for the Standings
The win moved the Scorchers to fourth place in WBBL|11 with three victories from seven games. But here’s the catch: teams above them — including the Hobart Hurricanes Women and Melbourne Renegades Women — have games in hand. That means the Scorchers must win all four of their remaining fixtures to even have a shot at the finals. No room for error. No margin for sloppiness.Their next two matches are brutal: a road trip to face the Renegades on Thursday, November 26, followed by a showdown against the league leaders, the Hurricanes, at Ninja Stadium on Saturday, November 29. A loss in either, and their season is over.
For the Strikers, the loss stings. They had the game in their grasp. Darcie Brown was their lone bright spot with the ball, but the middle order couldn’t hold up under pressure. Their next match is against the Brisbane Heat Women on Wednesday, November 25 — a chance to reset before the final stretch.
Behind the Numbers
The statistics tell a story of tension:- Perth’s total: 159 for 4 (20 overs)
- Adelaide’s reply: 158 all out (20 overs)
- Amy Edgar: 4-25 (4 overs), including a hat-trick
- Chloe Ainsworth: 3-22 (4 overs)
- Laura Wolvaardt: 41 off 36 balls
- Sophie Devine: 49* (42 balls), 4,000+ WBBL runs
Edgar’s four-wicket haul was the best by a Scorchers bowler this season. Her hat-trick — the first in WBBL|11 — came in the 14th over, triggered by a run-out (the second wicket) and then three consecutive dismissals: Penna, Ellyse Perry (not the Australia star — a different one), and Georgia Redmayne. The crowd’s roar was so loud, officials later said they could hear it through the broadcast booth.
What’s Next?
The Scorchers’ season is now a do-or-die mission. They’ve shown they can win tight games — but can they win four in a row? The pressure is mounting. Devine, now a legend of the league, will need to lead not just with her bat, but with her calm in the dressing room. The bowling unit, led by Edgar and Ainsworth, has found its rhythm. But the batting order still lacks depth beyond the top three.For fans, this match was a reminder: women’s cricket isn’t just growing — it’s thrilling. The WACA Ground, with its iconic pitch and electric atmosphere, delivered another classic. And in the end, it wasn’t just about runs or wickets. It was about composure under fire. About a wicketkeeper diving to catch a ball that could’ve ended a season. About one run separating triumph from heartbreak.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Amy Edgar’s hat-trick happen in the 14th over?
Amy Edgar’s hat-trick was a rare and dramatic sequence: the first wicket was a run-out (Madeline Penna), the second was a clean bowled dismissal (Georgia Redmayne), and the third was a caught-behind off a sweep shot (Lizelle Lee). This made it the first official hat-trick in WBBL|11, and only the fifth in the league’s history. The run-out counted as the second wicket in the over, making it a true hat-trick across three consecutive deliveries.
Why is Sophie Devine’s 4,000-run milestone significant?
Devine became only the third player — and the first non-Australian — to reach 4,000 runs in WBBL history. She joins Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry, both Australian icons. Her consistency over six seasons, including stints in international T20 leagues, makes her one of the most complete all-rounders in women’s T20 cricket. She’s also the only player to have scored 4,000 runs and taken 100 wickets in the league.
What impact does this result have on Perth’s finals chances?
The Scorchers now need to win all four of their remaining matches to have any realistic shot at the top four. Teams above them — including Hobart and Melbourne — have two games in hand. Even if they win, Perth must hope those teams lose at least two of their extra matches. The pressure is immense, but the team has shown resilience in tight games — a crucial trait for playoff contenders.
How did Chloe Ainsworth’s bowling influence the match?
Ainsworth’s 3-22 in four overs was critical in breaking Adelaide’s momentum after their strong start. She consistently hit the corridor of uncertainty, forcing the Strikers into risky shots. Her yorker to dismiss Ashleigh Gardner and the leg-side nip that trapped Penna were turning points. She also bowled the penultimate over, setting up the dramatic final over — a testament to her nerve under pressure.
Why was Beth Mooney’s catch so remarkable?
Mooney’s catch wasn’t just about skill — it was about split-second awareness. As Darcie Brown’s top-edged sweep soared, Mooney sprinted from behind the stumps, leapt, and caught the ball cleanly while avoiding a collision with non-striker Megan Schutt, who was running across the pitch. The catch was reviewed for obstruction, but officials confirmed no contact. It was a moment of pure instinct — the kind that wins championships.
What’s the significance of the WACA Ground in women’s cricket?
The WACA Ground, with its fast, bouncy pitch and passionate crowds, has become a fortress for the Scorchers. It’s hosted more WBBL finals than any other venue and has seen record attendance for women’s T20 matches in Australia. The pitch favors pace and spin equally, making it a true test of skill. This match, with its dramatic finish, adds another iconic chapter to its legacy.
