The Queensland Fire have surged to an opening night win in the Women's National Cricket League, snaring a bonus point in their win over Western Australia at the WACA.
Fire Surge To Opening Win
Queensland's hopes of a victory had looked questionable when the home side had marched to 1-124 in pursuit of the Fire's total of 236, with captain Chloe Piparo (63) and ex-Fire player Mikayla Hinkley (53) setting them on track.
But a superb bowling fightback, led by Australia 'A' allrounder and player of the match Sianna Ginger, turned the likely outcome on its head with WA entering a collapse that saw them lose 9-48, with their last five wickets falling for just five runs to complete a spectacular rout.
Ginger claimed the big scalps of Piparo and newly recalled Australian World Cup allrounder Heather Graham (4) on the way to figures of 2-12 from seven overs.
With captain Jess Jonassen (2-29) and left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton (2-37) chiming in, WA were bundled out for 172 to deliver the Fire a 64-run victory.
Queensland had first use of the WACA wicket in the afternoon Perth sun for the day/night clash, and made a bright start through former England international Lauren Winfield-Hill (38) and left-hander Lucy Bourke (42) who hit her highest WNCL score to date.
Charli Knott, who flew directly to Perth from India where she had been with the Australia team for their pre-World Cup ODI series against India, top-scored with 53 while debutant Annie O'Neil hit 29 and Mikayla Wrigley scored 32 as they chased quick runs at the back end of the innings.
The two teams meet again tomorrow in another day/night clash at the WACA.