The Melbourne Stars will head into Saturday's derby against the Melbourne Renegades desperate to avoid another top-order batting collapse, having fallen to the Adelaide Strikers on Friday.
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The Stars were on target to successfully chase the Strikers' 5-144 at Casey Fields when Anna Lanning (24) and Lizelle Lee (44) shared in an opening stand of 73 but they would later collapse from 1-92 to 4-96, eventually losing by 22 runs.
Strikers spinner Alex Price was crucial in the win, claiming the key scalps of Lee and Mignon du Preez (16). Megan Schutt found herself on a hat-trick and finished with the match figures of 2-23 in a win which leaves the Strikers in the top four. Georgia Elwiss had claimed two wickets for the Stars earlier in the day.
The Stars remain near the foot of the ladder with only one win but hope to lift against their cross-town rivals at the MCG on Saturday.
The Gades, after splitting their results against the Sydney Sixers this week, have aspirations to secure a top-four berth and trained strongly under a scorching sun on Friday. Extra drinks breaks and ice vests have been organised for match day when the temperature is expected to hit 41 degrees.
