The ACT Meteors crashed back to Earth in spectacular fashion as last season's women's Twenty20 finalists were given a rude awakening in their opening game of the summer.
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The star-studded NSW Breakers belted the Meteors by nine wickets, cruising to victory with 35 balls to spare in a one-sided season opener at the Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday.
Meteors captain Kris Britt played a lone hand with the bat, finishing with a terrific 73 not out to lift her side to 8-118 from its 20 overs.
However, it was never going to be enough to restrict the Breakers as NSW (1-119) gained revenge for last season's shock semi-final loss to the Meteors.
Meteors coach Andrew Dawson said it was imperative his side forgot about the disappointing performance, with two games against the Breakers remaining this weekend.
"All we said in the review was, 'Wash it away, there's no point moping around'," Dawson said.
"It's not a bad little kick in the pants to not get too far ahead of yourself. It was a very average, rusty performance we shouldn't have had."
The Meteors could not have asked for a worse start, slumping to 2-0 as Kate Pulford and Sara Hungerford both went back to the sheds without troubling the scorers.
Britt did not receive any support as she tried to revive the innings single-handedly. Nicola Browne and Lynsey Askew (both who made 12) were the only other players in double figures.
The Breakers were dominant from the outset as Leah Poulton (50 from 38) and Alyssa Healy (51 not out from 37) made light work of the Meteors' bowlers.
"We just didn't get any momentum going batting or bowling," Dawson said.
"We tried to stay positive and aggressive with it, but NSW bowled very well.
"Not a great day with the bat and we didn't stay well with the ball, so that was a bit frustrating."
WT20: The NSW Breakers 1-119 bt the ACT Meteors 8-118 (Kris Britt 73 not out) at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday. WNCL: NSW v ACT at Blacktown on Saturday at 10am.