In an exciting match of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025, Beth Mooney made headlines by scoring the first century of the season. Her impressive knock of 105 runs off just 73 balls helped the Perth Scorchers secure their inaugural victory by defeating the Brisbane Heat by 23 runs. After being invited to bat first, the Scorchers posted a formidable score of 172 for 3, setting a challenging target for their opponents.
Mooney commenced her innings with vigor, hitting four boundaries in the initial two overs and guiding the Scorchers to a promising start of 36 runs without loss by the end of the fourth over. However, the Heat's bowlers responded effectively, managing to restrict the Scorchers' run flow for several overs, resulting in a meager addition of 30 runs during a six-over boundary drought. Katie Mack, Mooney’s batting partner, struggled for pace, managing only 19 runs off 22 deliveries at the halfway point.
The turning point in the innings came when Mooney accelerated her scoring rate, smashing a six off Jess Jonassen to reach her half-century in 42 balls. Although Mack's innings concluded as she was bowled by Jonassen, Mooney remained relentless, brilliantly contributing with three boundaries and a six off Nicola Hancock. The partnership between Mooney and Paige Scholfield proved pivotal, as they combined for a rapid 77-run stand off just 44 balls.
Mooney continued to dominate, eventually reaching her century off 70 balls, marked by another four. She and Scholfield were both dismissed in the closing over, but the Scorchers managed to score 106 runs in the latter half of their innings, establishing a defendable total.
Chasing 173, the Brisbane Heat faced an uphill battle from the start. Grace Harris aimed to counterattack with two early boundaries off Sophie Devine but lost the opener, Nadine de Klerk, to Chloe Ainsworth soon after. As Harris and Jemimah Rodrigues attempted to build a partnership, the latter was dismissed by Devine, leaving Heat's batting lineup in some disarray.
Despite Harris scoring positively, reaching 46 runs, she was bowled shortly after striking two fours in an over. The Heat's situation worsened with Jonassen's unfortunate run-out, positioning them at a disheartening 85 for 4 after 12 overs. Fellow batters struggled to make an impact, further escalating the pressure on the team.
Chinelle Henry attempted to revive the innings by hitting three boundaries off Alana King, yet as wickets fell in quick succession, including that of Georgia Redmayne and Charli Knott, the Heat's chase ultimately faltered. Despite Henry's efforts, she too fell victim to Ainsworth's bowling, and the remaining batters succumbed, resulting in a final score of 149 all out.
The match concluded with the Scorchers claiming a comfortable 23-run victory, with Mooney's spectacular performance proving instrumental in their success. This win marks a promising start for the Perth Scorchers in the WBBL 2025 as they look to build on this momentum in the season ahead.