![Lizelle Lee en route her 100 in the WBBL 2023. [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/371828.webp "Lizelle Lee en route her 100. [Image: Getty]")
Hobart Hurricanes sealed their third consecutive win in a row in this season of the Women’s Big Bash League 2023 (WBBL 2023) as they completely outclassed Melbourne Renegades by 93 runs at the Blundstone Arena.
Riding on Lizelle Lee’s unbeaten 101 and a blistering 55 not out by Heather Graham, they posted a massive 212/3 on the board. Backing the performance the batting unit put up, the bowling of Hobart Hurricanes also delivered as they skittled Melbourne Renegades to 119 all out. Maisy Gibson and Amy Smith were the standout bowlers who can be credited for their stellar performances.
Renegades won the toss and decided to bowl first in the WBBL 2023 match which meant the Hobart Hurricanes had the perfect opportunity to put up a massive total and keep the hopes of a knockout qualification alive.
Elyse Villani is on a mission!
The @HurricanesBBL end their Powerplay 0-40 😲 #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/9n9JT2Y5Yo
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 23, 2023
Starting on a positive note was Lizelle Lee who partnered with Elyse Villani and ensured the Hurricanes were off to a flyer. Scoring a massive 23 off just two overs, the duo ensured that there was no leeway for the Renegades bowling.
First ball = straight to the rope for Lizelle Lee!
That's a start #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/EZCW1IftkX
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 23, 2023
Lee stitched a commendable 55-run partnership with Villani before the latter was dismissed for 22 off 14 by Georgia Wareham during the game of WBBL 2023. The same over saw Bryony Smith fall as she misread the delivery and a two-ball duck ensued. For a while, it seemed that the momentum shifted in the favour of the Renegades but a prolific power surge meant the Hurricanes were back on track, poised for a big total.
It was then Nicola Carey who joined Lizelle Lee and the duo began pounding on the hapless Renegades attack that certainly was off colour today. While Carey played a secondary role, it was Lee who brought out her A-game and batted with intent giving flashbacks of her happier Proteas days where she would pile on bowling attacks. Carey was the next batter to be dismissed when Georgia Prestwidge got the crucial breakthrough.
What a moment for Lizelle Lee! 💯#WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/DiYC6VJ7iY
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 23, 2023
Heather Graham went all guns blazing from the very first ball as she was timing the ball beautifully en route to her cameo that has all the glitz and glamour of a fine knock. Scoring a crucial 55 off 28, she ensured that the pressure was never off the Renegades and perfectly complemented Lizelle Lee.
The duo was fierceless and mercilessly outshined the Renegades driving them to their highest-ever team total at the WBBL and finishing off with a six. Lizelle Lee raised the bat to a well-deserved 101 that came off 53 balls, it was her third in the WBBL overall.
The Renegades seemed to be under pressure to chase this daunting total down and with the duo of Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Prestwidge, they were off to a brisk stadium. But the veteran Shabnim Ismail sought the first breakthrough for Beaumont for 16 and the very next over, Nicola Carey got rid of the dangerous Harmanpreet Kaur for a three-ball duck during the WBBL 2023 game.
Three in the over for Amy Smith and she is wrapping up this game quickly! @hcltech | #PlayOfTheDay | #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/nms2ibpGV1
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 23, 2023
Next in line was Georgia Prestwidge who was out for 9, this meant the Renegades were down to 31/3. The pressure of rebuilding the innings fell on skipper Hayley Matthews and Courteney Webb but with the duo getting out in the same over as Maisy Gibson struck with the ball twice, the situation only got complicated for the Renegades.
Georgia Wareham was out for 14 and Amy Smith struck thrice in the same over the course of 5 deliveries snapping Jess Duffin, Josephine Dooley and Sarah Coyote consecutively which was a massive hit to the Renegades.
Some shot from Emma De Broughe! #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/1ibmaY4xsZ
— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 23, 2023
With Sara Kennedy out for 1, the Renegades folded for 119 in 16.2 overs with De Broughe stranded at 40* in 19 balls, an innings that potentially had the chance of making an impact. Maisy Gibson was the pick of the bowlers scalping four wickets and Amy Smith with three wickets in the same over turning the game singlehandedly.
Lizelle Lee was deservingly adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for her knock and Hurricanes are currently fifth on the table even as the Renegades struggle at the bottom of the table in the WBBL 2023.
WBBL 2023: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades Brief Scores
Hobart Hurricanes 212/3 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 101*, Heather Graham 55*; Georgia Wareham 2/30) beat Melbourne Renegades 119 all out in 16.2 overs (Emma De Broughe 40*; Maisy Gibson 4/25, Amy Smith 3/17) by 93 runs.
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