![Kathryn Bryce turned the tide for the Hurricanes in WBBL 2024. [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/391525.webp "Kathryn Bryce turned the tide for the Hurricanes [Image: Getty]")
Match 38 of the Women’s Big Bash League – WBBL 2024 between Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes unfolded at the WACA, delivering an enthralling contest that saw the Hurricanes secure a three-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare.
The game was characterised by some excellent individual performances, strategic bowling changes, and crucial moments in the chase that tipped the scales in favour of the Hurricanes.
Beth Mooney Starts Strongly
The Perth Scorchers’ innings began with a sense of promise as Beth Mooney, the experienced campaigner, anchored the top order with her characteristic composure and timing. Her 50 off 40 deliveries was a masterclass in precision, featuring four crisply driven boundaries and a single six that showcased her ability to balance aggression with stability. Mooney’s knock held the innings together, but she lacked substantial partnerships to truly capitalize on her form.
Maddy Darke, opening alongside Mooney, managed a brief 10 off 11 before falling victim to an excellent piece of fielding from Rosemary Mair and Lizelle Lee, who combined to effect a run-out.
This early dismissal placed pressure on the Scorchers, but Brooke Halliday stepped in and injected momentum with a lively 21 off 16 balls. Her quick-fire innings, laced with three boundaries, provided the impetus the Scorchers needed to recover from the early setback.
Sophie Devine Unable To Capitalise
Sophie Devine, the skipper, further solidified the innings with her attacking approach. Her 28 off 22 deliveries, punctuated by three boundaries and two towering sixes, underscored her intent to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The partnership between Mooney and Devine added significant value to the Scorchers’ innings, taking them past the 100-run mark. However, Devine’s departure in the 14th over, courtesy of a sharp catch by Amy Smith off Nicola Carey, marked the beginning of a middle-order collapse.
The Scorchers’ innings unravelled as the Hurricanes’ bowlers turned the screws in the latter stages. Lauren Smith and Amy Smith were particularly effective in exploiting the conditions, bowling with remarkable discipline.
Amy Smith’s spell of 3 for 17 in four overs was the highlight of the Hurricanes’ bowling effort. She removed key batters at crucial junctures, including Mooney, who was caught by Suzie Bates in the 16th over, just as she seemed poised to accelerate further.
Lauren Smith, on her part, complemented Amy brilliantly by claiming 2 for 24 in her full quota of overs. Her ability to vary her pace and angles created constant trouble for the Scorchers’ middle and lower order. Nicola Carey also played a pivotal role, picking up one wicket for 17 runs in her three overs and maintaining a tight leash on the scoring rate.
Fielding played a decisive role in the Scorchers’ collapse, as the Hurricanes’ fielders were sharp and proactive. Four run-outs punctuated the innings, each a testament to the Hurricanes’ alertness and precision in the field. Mikayla Hinkley, Chloe Ainsworth, and Ebony Hoskin were among the victims, falling to moments of brilliance from the opposition.
The Scorchers’ tailenders struggled to muster any significant runs as the Hurricanes’ bowlers and fielders maintained their stranglehold. Alana King remained unbeaten on a subdued 3 off 8 balls, while the team could only manage 138 before being bowled out on the last ball of their innings.
The Hurricanes’ collective bowling and fielding efforts ensured that the Scorchers were restricted to a par score on a wicket that seemed to offer enough for both batters and bowlers.
Lizelle Lee Provides A Fiery Start
The Hobart Hurricanes’ chase began with a display of sheer dominance from Lizelle Lee, who seemed intent on finishing the game early. Her blistering 44 off just 22 balls was a masterclass in aggressive batting. Lee took full advantage of the powerplay, striking seven boundaries and a massive six that sailed into the stands.
Her fearless approach rattled the Perth Scorchers’ bowlers, as she targeted anything marginally off-line, peppering the gaps with precision. Lee’s innings not only set the tone for the chase but also injected confidence into the Hurricanes’ dugout. However, her dismissal, courtesy of a sharp catch by Alana King off Amy Edgar in the fifth over, marked a turning point.
Sophie Devine’s Dramatic Spell
The departure of Lee triggered a dramatic collapse in the Hurricanes’ middle order, as Sophie Devine stepped up with a spell that reminded everyone why she’s one of the most feared all-rounders in women’s cricket.
Devine’s fiery bowling spell of 4 for 26 turned the match on its head. She bowled with impeccable control and clever variations, dismantling the Hurricanes’ middle order. Suzie Bates, who could have been the stabilizing force, fell early to Devine for just 7 runs, edging a delivery that moved away slightly, caught safely by Mooney behind the stumps. Heather Graham, another key batter, was deceived by Devine’s subtle changes in pace, departing for a duck.
As wickets tumbled, the Hurricanes found themselves reeling at 95 for 7, with the Scorchers smelling blood. The Scorchers’ fielders complemented Devine’s bowling effort, cutting off singles and building pressure with their athleticism. The match seemed firmly in the Scorchers’ grasp until Kathryn Bryce arrived at the crease.
Kathryn Bryce Breathes Fresh Air Into The Run-Chase
Bryce’s unbeaten 34 off 24 balls was the innings of a player who thrives under pressure. She exhibited maturity beyond her years, carefully constructing her innings while keeping an eye on the required run rate.
Bryce rotated the strike efficiently, finding gaps with deft touches and placing the bad balls to the boundary when opportunities arose. Her ability to remain calm despite the mounting pressure stood out as she orchestrated a rescue act alongside Lauren Smith.
Lauren Smith’s contribution of 16 not out, though less flashy, was equally significant. Smith supported Bryce admirably, running hard between the wickets and ensuring no further wickets fell. Together, Bryce and Smith stitched an unbroken 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket, turning the tide in favour of the Hurricanes.
With the game on the line and just a handful of runs needed, Bryce sealed the victory in style, driving a full delivery from Alana King through the covers for four. The emphatic shot not only secured the win but also exemplified Bryce’s composed and authoritative innings. Her performance earned her the Player of the Match award, a testament to her pivotal role in rescuing the Hurricanes from what looked like a certain defeat.
For the Scorchers, Sophie Devine’s all-round brilliance was the standout feature of their bowling effort. Her four-wicket haul brought the Scorchers back into the contest when it seemed to be slipping away.
However, the lack of support from the rest of the bowling unit proved costly. Alana King, typically reliable, struggled with her lengths and went for runs in crucial overs, finishing with figures of 0 for 36. Amy Edgar, despite picking up Lee’s wicket, conceded 29 runs in her three overs, undoing much of Devine’s good work. The lone bright spot apart from Devine was Chloe Ainsworth, whose tidy spell of 1 for 15 in three overs provided some semblance of control.
The Hurricanes’ victory was a story of resilience and grit, capitalizing on key moments and showcasing the depth in their squad. Kathryn Bryce’s heroics under pressure exemplified their fighting spirit, while Lizelle Lee’s explosive start gave them the momentum to withstand the middle-order wobble.
For the Scorchers, it was a case of missed opportunities, particularly with the bat in the death overs, as their inability to put up a more challenging total ultimately cost them the game. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, not only solidified their position in the league standings but also sent a strong message about their ability to handle high-pressure situations with their lower-order stepping up when needed the most.
Brief Scores WBBL 2024: Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes – Match 38
Perth Scorchers: 138/9 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 50, Sophie Devine 28; Amy Smith 3/17) lost to Hobart Hurricanes: 139/7 in 19.4 overs (Lizelle Lee 44, Kathryn Bryce 34*; Sophie Devine 4/26) by 3 wickets.
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