Molineux guides Renegades past Stars

Australian star Sophie Molineux has spearheaded the Melbourne Renegades to a comprehensive 48-run WBBL derby win over the Melbourne Stars.

Molineux was dropped three times and she made the Stars pay, belting 78 not out in the Renegades' 5-149.

The Stars were restricted to 7-101 in their 20 overs.

Molineux's knock is the highest WBBL score at the MCG.

It also equalled the highest women's T20 score at the ground, by West Indian Stafanie Taylor against Australia in 2014.

The Australian allrounder faced 54 balls and hit 12 fours for her first half century of the summer.

Last week, Molineux was rested for the Renegades' SCG loss to the Sydney Sixers and she returned to her home town of Bairnsdale for a 48-hour post-Christmas recharge that clearly paid dividends.

The Renegades were fifth before Tuesday's game and the win keeps their finals hopes alive, while the Stars have slipped further off the top-four pace.

It comes three days after the Renegades beat the Stars by one run at Marvel Stadium.

The Stars had a bad afternoon at the MCG after winning the toss, with stand-in captain Erin Osborne dropping Molineux on 10 and 24.

Molineux was also dropped on 65 and survived a mid-pitch collision with Stars bowler Georgia Elwiss when she was on 38.

An opening stand of 67 between Molineux and Danni Wyatt (32) set up the Renegades innings, while Holly Ferling took 2-30.

The Stars bled wickets and Elwiss (22) was the only batter to reach 20.

Opening bowler Molly Strano was the pick of Renegades attack with 3-25 and Georgia Wareham took 2-19.