Perth Scorchers cruise to rain-affected WBBL win over Adelaide Strikers as captain Sophie Devine stars

A star showing from captain Sophie Devine has led Perth Scorchers to a nine-run win over Adelaide Strikers in their rain-affected Women’s Big Bash League clash in Melbourne.

The veteran New Zealand all-rounder took 3-12 from three overs on Sunday, including a brilliant delivery to dismiss Australian vice-captain Tahlia McGrath first ball.

Her delivery shaped into McGrath’s pads, before straightening off the pitch and clipping the top of middle stump.

The Strikers never truly recovered despite the best efforts of Ellie Johnston (33 from 21 balls) and No.10 Megan Schutt (16 not out from 11 balls), being bowled out for 112 in the 18th over.

The Scorchers endured the worst possible start to their response with the bat, with form batter Mooney edging Australian teammate Darcie Brown through to wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson from the first ball she faced.

But opening partner Katie Mack (24 not out from 30 balls) put the Scorchers in a winning position, making the most of a missed stumping chance off Sophie Eccleston earlier in her innings.

The rain arrived with the Scorchers 2-55 in the 10th over and did not abate before their victory was declared under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The performance of Ruby Strange on her WBBL debut was another major bright spot for the Scorchers, with the Queenslander’s two wickets including star Striker Tammy Beaumont.

Having already hit one boundary in Strange’s first over, the England opener’s attempt to repeat the trick only found the hands of Mack on the leg-side boundary to hand the 22-year-old her first wicket at the level.

Strange returned later in the innings and was able to claim the final wicket, with Brown stumped without scoring courtesy of some sharp glovework from Beth Mooney up to the stumps.

The Scorchers will now head to Sydney to close out a four-game, four-State road trip against Sydney Thunder on Wednesday night.

- With AAP