Mooney, the competition's leading run-scorer this season with 441 at 88.20, guided the defending champions past the Stars' formidable 4-165 with three balls to spare at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Wednesday.

She was initially content to play second fiddle at the start of her composed 70 while Maddy Green plundered 56 off 32 balls to dominate a 92-run opening stand.

The New Zealand international's dismissal was the Heat's only hiccup as Mooney calmly posted her fifth half-century from eight knocks this season before the visitors reached 1-168.

Mooney struck eight boundaries and faced 60 deliveries while Australian team-mate Jess Jonassen (37no) also ensured the asking rate never spiralled out of control.

Despite Mooney's match-winning knock, South African import du Preez produced the innings of the contest by blasting a career-best 88 from 51 balls.

Du Preez eclipsed her previous best of 70, made against the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, to at least claim player of the match honours.

After being sent in to bat, the Stars started poorly, losing openers Lizelle Lee and Elyse Villani inside the first three overs before du Preez revived the innings with a stunning counterattack.

She slammed a dozen boundaries, two sixes and combined with teenage allrounder Annabel Sutherland (37) to add 102 for the third wicket before the pair both succumbed to seamer Delissa Kimmince (3-27).

Australian Associated Press