Tess Flintoff smashes fastest Women's Big Bash half century

The teenage allrounder needed just 16 balls to reach fifty for Melbourne Stars in a win over Adelaide Strikers

Sydney: Melbourne Stars 186-5, Adelaide Strikers 164-8 - Melbourne Stars win by 22 runs

Scorecard

Melbourne Stars youngster Tess Flintoff hit the fastest fifty in Women's Big Bash history to set her side on their way to a second win of the season.

Flintoff came to the crease with just 28 balls remaining in her team's innings. What followed was a stunning display of power-hitting as the 19-year-old smashed a 16-ball half century and lifted her side's final total to 186 for 5. Her extraordinary cameo comfortably surpassed the previous record of 22 balls, shared by Lizelle Lee and Ash Gardner.

Her innings proved to be match-winning as Adelaide Strikers fell 22 runs short in response.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Adelaide were rewarded with an early wicket as Jemimah Rodrigues found the safe hands of Tahlia McGrath off Deandra Dottin's bowling.

England internationals Lauren Winfield-Hill and Alice Capsey then put together an 84-run stand in just 54 balls to take Stars to 105 in the 14th over. Capsey (49) was the aggressor, while Winfield-Hill used 49 deliveries for her 47.

^{Flintoff hit three sixes in 16 balls (Mark Evans/Getty Images)}

Annabel Sutherland went cheaply following Capsey's departure but that brought Flintoff to the middle for the fireworks to begin. Stars would have been looking to reach 160 at that stage but a superb innings, including six fours and three sixes, propelled their effort to a total out of Strikers' reach.

In reply, Deandra Dottin was removed cheaply in the powerplay, leaving Katie Mack and Laura Wolvaardt with a rebuilding job. They put on 62 in 43 balls before Flintoff sent Wolvaardt on her way. Mack (47) continued but fell at a crucial time when her team was falling behind the required run rate.

Cameos from Bridget Patterson (41) and Madeline Penna (22) helped the Strikers reach 164, but a fine bowling effort, led by Sasha Moloney, who ended with figures of 4 for 24, ensured Melbourne comfortably got over the line.

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