Erin Osborne's late-innings heroics have helped the Melbourne Stars secure an impressive seven-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades at Eastern Oval in Ballarat, and snap a five-match WBBL losing streak.
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The Stars reeled in the Renegades' 3-165 with four balls to spare, thanks to a wonderful late flourish from the Tamworth export, who smacked an unbeaten 34 off just 15 deliveries.
With 32 required off the last three overs, the Renegades were in the box seat before Osborne crunched 26 off her last nine balls, including a paddle sweep for four to raise the Stars' second victory of the season.
Denting the fifth-placed Renegades' finals hopes, Osborne capitalised on the excellent work at the top of the order by Lizelle Lee (62) and Mignon du Preez (41).
The South African duo put on 90 for the second wicket after captain Elyse Villani departed early to Leah Tahuhu (2-26).
The powerful Lee crunched three sixes in her 46-ball stay before being trapped lbw attempting to reverse sweep Georgia Wareham.
Earlier, Anna Lanning sparkled in her first WBBL game in two years, belting 73 off 49 balls to be awarded player-of-the-match honours despite the result.
The younger sister of Australian captain Meg, Lanning smashed two sixes and dominated her 74-run second-wicket union with Tammy Beaumont (39).
Lanning eventually succumbed to a magnificent outfield catch from Villani before Jess Duffin chipped in with a rapid-fire unbeaten 35 off 17 balls.
Opening the bowling for the Stars, Osborne finished with 0-32 from her four overs.
Australian Associated Press