Hobart Hurricanes finally got into the groove with a resounding eight-wicket win vs the Melbourne Stars at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane in the WBBL 2023. Molly Strano and Nicola Carey’s spells early on stifled the Stars’ batting and with Lizelle Lee’s blistering and unbeaten 77, the game was sealed by the Hurricanes who moved up to the fifth position in the table.
Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and decided to bowl first. With the opening duo of Meg Lanning and Maia Bouchier giving a brisk start, Lanning who also reached the milestone of 3,000 runs in her WBBL career en route with her crafty knock of 27, was undone by Shabnim Ismail.
"What a way to bring up 3000 runs in the WBBL."
Vintage, Meg Lanning. #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/jXioQjZY2x
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
Alice Capsey was the next to fall as Maisy Gibson got the better of her for a dismal two off eight deliveries. As Annabel Sutherland and Maia Bouchier built on a partnership, they seemed to not be able to go to the next level and play with an attacking instinct. Bouchier was dismissed for a well-set 23 and with Sophia Dunkley out for 7, the Stars were reeling at 81/4.
With Sutherland and Tess Flintoff dismissed in consecutive overs, the Stars looked out of sorts and listless. With Sophie Reid’s 10 off 5 and single-digit scores from the rest of the batting; the Stars ended on a tepid 121 all out.
☝️ Bouchier
☝️ Sutherland
☝️ ReidThree for Nic Carey! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/fXOpMCyGSf
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
For the Hurricanes who had a tough outing a few days back against the Brisbane Heat, they seemed to have come back stronger as Molly Strano and Nicola Carey scalped three wickets while Heather Graham pocketed two ably supported by Maisy Gibson and Amy Smith with one wicket apiece. Another major talking point was how Lizelle Lee was brilliant behind the stumps and took some scintillating catches.
3rd 50 of #WBBL09 for Lizelle Lee 👏 pic.twitter.com/t2Ts43MlGY
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2023
The run chase seemed cut out for a famous Hurricanes win and leading the way was Lizelle Lee who not just pummelled the bowlers but looked at her attacking best. Even as her fellow opening partner was out for 1 by Sophie Day and skipper Elyse Villani out for a two-ball duck by Kim Garth, she marched on. Nicola Carey who joined her at the crease played excellent second fiddle to Lee whose footwork and the use of the legside for the crucial boundaries was unmatched.
Lee ended up with a glittery and unbeaten 77 off 49 (9×4, 4 x6) striking at 157.14 and Carey ended with 38 off 41 with five boundaries ensuring the Hurricanes were on the right side of the match as their crucial 99-run partnership sealed the deal. With this win, the Hurricanes secured two crucial points going up to nine keeping their hopes alive for the coveted WBBL finals.
WBBL 2023: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Brief Scores
Melbourne Stars 121 all out in 19.1 overs (Meg Lanning 27, Annable Sutherland 24; Molly Strano 3-20, Nicola Carey 3-32) lost to Hobart Hurricanes 122 for 2 in 16.1 overs (Lizelle Lee 77*, Nicola Carey 38*, Kim Garth 1/18, Sophie Day 1/21) by eight wickets.
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