WBBL wide call erupts as season opener ends in controversy over ‘100 per cent’ wrong decision, Meg Lanning wins

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Meg Lanning’s half-century on return to the WBBL has helped the Melbourne Stars hang on for a two-run win and deny an Ashleigh Gardner-inspired Sydney Sixers comeback.

After Lanning’s 55 from 34 balls helped the Stars to 8-165 in the opening game of the season, the Sixers looked shot at 6-71 in reply at North Sydney Oval on Thursday.

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But that was before Gardner unleashed, hitting 72 from 44 as the stand-in captain and Maitlan Brown put on 84 for the seventh wicket to put the Sixers back in the game.

Player of the tournament last year, Gardner put the Sixers back in the game with the bat when she pulled Rhys McKenna for back-to-back sixes when all hope looked lost.

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After also being the Sixers’ best with the ball with 2-23, Gardner looked to have put the Sixers in a winning position with 11 needed from 11 balls.

But when she was bowled by Annabel Sutherland, the match swung again.

Sutherland also knocked over Brown for 35 later in the over, finishing with figures of 4-27.

Meg Lanning of the Stars on her way to 55 from 34 balls against the Sydney Sixers. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Then with the Sixers needing eight off the last over, Linsey Smith and Kate Peterson were unable to get Alice Capsey away as the Stars held on for victory.

The match was not without drama, with the last ball called a legal delivery despite it appearing to pass outside the offside wide line.

Australian great Lisa Sthalekar said she “could understand” why it wasn’t called by the umpire given the ball only just turning away late.

But her Channel 7 commentary colleague Kirby Short was convinced “it was a wide”, as was ex-Australian Test bowler Trent Copeland.

“(It was) 100 per cent a wide. Unfortunately in the scheme of the game that we talk about this, rather than the amazing contest, but in my opinion it was a wide,” he said.

The decisive ball. Credit: 7Sport

Smith confronted the umpire immediately after the match seemingly in frustration.

Gardner, meanwhile, said the match was “ours to lose”.

“But unfortunately when I got out and she got out in quick succession, it was always going to be hard for two new batters to come in,” she said.

Lanning had earlier signalled her intent in her first game back in the WBBL in nearly two years.

After sitting out last summer’s WBBL on personal leave and then missing this year’s Ashes for medical reasons, Lanning looked immediately on-song on Thursday.

The superstar hit eight fours and launched one big six over the legside off left-armer Lauren Cheatle’s bowling before bringing up her 50 off 28 balls.

Lanning was her typical self as she capitalised on anything wide of off stump, but her shot of the night was a lofted drive back over the head of quick Brown.

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The 31-year-old has been extremely guarded on her future in the past week, but Australian selectors have indicated the plan is for her to tour India in December.

Lanning is following a strict return-to-play plan, but there is nothing to suggest her cricket is not ready for an international return.

Australia’s captain has averaged 70 in four 50-over games for Victoria this year, before Thursday night’s knock.

“She’s a freak,” Sutherland said.

“I don’t think anyone hits the ball better than her.

“When she’s enjoying her cricket and got a smile on her face, she is so hard to stop. That’s the Meg we love to see.”

Sutherland also hit 34 off 22 for the Stars and Maia Bouchier 25 off 16, while 18-year-old debutant Maddy Illingworth reached speeds of more than 120km/h with the ball.

– with 7NEWS