Melbourne Stars 157 for 6 (Dunkley 73, Capsey 43, Cleary 2-30) beat Perth Scorchers 124 for 9 (Jones 42, Day 4-26) by 33 runs

Chasing what seemed to be a modest total of 158, Scorchers' strong top-order crashed to 19 for 3 with openers Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine both uncharacteristically failing.

Still without skipper Meg Lanning, who remained on personal leave, Stars' finals hopes were already over but they produced a formidable effort.

Stand-in skipper Sutherland elected to bat in oppressive conditions with temperatures hovering at 36 degrees when the game started.

Stars had to initially fend off probing new ball bowling from quick Chloe Ainsworth, who knocked over opener Maia Bouchier in the second over. But apart from Ainsworth's menacing swing, Stars were at ease with Dunkley and Capsey taking control.

Dunkley, particularly, decided to go the aerial route especially against Scorchers' slew of spinners who weren't getting assistance from the benign surface.

Scorchers skipper Devine turned to Sciver-Brunt, who bowled for the first time this season in Scorchers' previous game against Sydney Thunder. She bowled a tight line and length, but Dunkley was in an aggressive mood as Stars eyed a big total at the midway mark of the innings.

Even Ainsworth couldn't limit Dunkley when she returned to the attack and was smashed for a six over long-on as Scorchers appeared to be going through the emotions.

Dunkley sped past her half-century leaving Capsey in her wake. Capsey struggled to regain her earlier rhythm and she holed out to long-on to gift Sciver-Brunt her first wicket of the season.

It triggered a collapse with Dunkley falling in the 15th over before Tess Flintoff was bowled first ball by seamer Piepa Cleary.

The smattering of fans braving the famous grass banks were finally up and about although Cleary was unable to claim a hat-trick. Stars fell away at the backend, but their attack brilliantly defended the total to inflict a costly loss for Scorchers.