Shafali Varma makes quiet WBBL debut, her group Sydney Sixers opens with win

Young Indian batter Shafali Verma endured an underwhelming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) debut in her group Sydney Sixers’ six-wicket win over Melbourne Stars on the opening day of the competitors on the Bellerive Oval right here on Thursday.
Chasing 100 runs to win in 11 overs within the rain-hit match, the 17-year-old right-handed opener fell for 8 (10 balls, 1 4) within the fourth over.
Her first-wicket partnership with Alyssa Healy, who hit an outstanding 57 (27 balls, 11 fours), yielded 40 runs earlier than Shafali was bowled by Annabel Sutherland making an attempt an enormous heave.

What a throw! Welcome to the @WBBL, Shafali Verma 🔥@CommBank | #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/X6mhtzwUp8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 14, 2021
The Sixers gave the impression to be on their option to a cushty win earlier than shedding three wickets together with that of Healy. But Nicole Bolton (7 not out) and Angela Reakes (3 not out) steered them house.

Earlier, despatched in to bat by Sixers captain Ellyse Perry, the Melbourne Stars rode on a quick-fire 54 not out (31 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) by Elyse Villani to make 99 for 1 in 11 overs.
Skipper Meg Lanning contributed 23 (17 balls, 4 fours).

Shafali helped break the Stars’ opening partnership by operating out Annabel Sutherland (14).
Another Indian within the Sixers’ line-up, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, went wickeless in her two overs and didn’t get a chance to bat. PTI SS