Matthews’ slump continues

Captain Hayley Matthews registered her third straight single-digit score as Melbourne Renegades extended their wretched run with a chastening 10-wicket defeat to Perth Scorchers.

Renegades rallied to 133 for 5 off their 20 overs after being sent in to bat at Junction Oval. They then watched helplessly as Scorchers raced to their target in the 12th over, with captain and opener Sophie Devine striking an unbeaten 70 off 36 deliveries.

The defeat was their seventh straight in nine outings and eighth of the campaign, leaving them at the bottom of the Women’s Big Bash League on two points.

Matthews managed only eight and now has 107 runs from nine innings, at an average of just under 12.

Her highest score this season was 31 in the first clash with Scorchers earlier this month but the knock remains the only time she has passed 20.

Georgia Wareham top-scored with an unbeaten 57 off 46 deliveries hitting five fours and a six, anchoring a 62-run, unbroken sixth wicket stand with Josephine Dooley-14 not out to pull Renegades around from 71 for five in the 13th over.

Matthews, the leading wicket-taker for her side, came up empty-handed as Devine and Beth Mooney, struck 47 not out off 32 balls. Devine counted two fours and eight sixes while Mooney struck nine fours.