Devine's divine WBBL heroics down Stars
Sophie Devine has produced a magical all-round display to steer the Adelaide Strikers to a 19-run WBBL victory over the Melbourne Stars.
The star New Zealand allrounder smashed 95 off just 60 balls on Sunday afternoon to dominate the Strikers' total of 3-172, before capturing a career-best 5-41 to help reduce the Stars to 9-153 in reply at Adelaide Oval.
Stars opener Lizelle Lee greeted Devine at the bowling crease with a six and a four off her first two balls but the Kiwi won the battle when the hard-hitting South African spooned the fourth ball - a slower offering - to Megan Schutt at cover.
Only Mignon du Preez (33) was able to get going for the Stars, whose top order faltered badly, largely at the hands of Devine who chalked up just the fourth five-wicket haul in WBBL history.
Devine was equally magnificent with the bat, shaking off the early departures of Suzie Bates (12) and Tahlia McGrath (0) to combine with Bridget Patterson (51no) for a 131-run third-wicket partnership.
On the cusp of joining Sydney Sixers captain Ellyse Perry and Brisbane Heat gun Grace Harris as the only players with two career WBBL centuries, Devine holed out to Katie Mack in the second-last over off Nicola Hancock, but it was a minor blemish in her otherwise perfect day.
