The T20 Spring Challenge 2025 gets underway with an electrifying clash between Sydney Sixers Women and Hobart Hurricanes Women at the North Sydney Oval. Led by a mix of promising youth and seasoned campaigners, their focus will be on finding rhythm early and setting the tone for their campaign. For Hobart Hurricanes Women, this match is the perfect platform to begin their title defense with confidence.
Squads:
Hobart Hurricanes Women’s Cricket Team
Elyse Villani, Rachel Trenaman, Tabatha Saville, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Nicola Carey, Ruth Johnston, Caitlin Mair, Lizelle Lee, Ava Curtis, Callie Wilson, Lauren Smith, Mia Barwick, Molly Strano
Sydney Sixers Women’s Cricket Team
Claire Moore, Elsa Hunter, Frankie Nicklin, Lucy Finn, Mathilda Carmichael, Caoimhe Bray, Erin Burns, Lauren Kua, Emma Manix-Geeves, Kate Pelle, Courtney Sippel, Kate Peterson, Lauren Cheatle, Maitlan Brown
Players to watch out:
Lizelle Lee
Lizelle Lee topped the run charts in the 2024 T20 Spring Challenge, smashing 252 runs in 6 innings at an average of 50.40. Her power-hitting included a blistering 112, complemented by a strike rate of 139.22. She hammered 36 fours and 9 sixes, showcasing her dominance at the top. Her consistency and explosiveness made her the standout batter of the season.
Nicola Carey
Nicola Carey contributed solidly with the bat, scoring 129 runs across 6 innings for Hobart Hurricanes. She struck her highest of 77 and maintained a healthy strike rate of 124.03. With the ball, she picked up 6 wickets from 5 innings, at an economy rate of 5.50. Carey’s ability to anchor and accelerate, also break partnerships and pick wickets, gave her side valuable balance through tight chases.
Erin Burns
Erin Burns was effective in limited opportunities, making 114 runs from just 3 innings at a superb average of 114.00. Her best of 65* came at a strike rate of 129.54, underlining her finishing prowess. Burns’ calculated aggression and finishing touch proved vital for Sydney Sixers. Despite fewer games, her consistency stood out among the tournament’s key performers.
Kate Pelle
Kate Pelle played a steady role for Sydney Sixers, accumulating 84 runs in 4 innings at an average of 21.00. Her best effort of 56 demonstrated her capability to build substantial knocks when needed. Despite a modest strike rate of 88.42, she provided stability in the middle order. Pelle’s 9 fours and 2 sixes reflected her ability to find gaps and rotate strike effectively through the tournament.
Pitch:
North Sydney Oval usually offers a flat, true pitch that is ideal for batting with small boundaries promoting high scores. Seamers may find early movement, but it gets easier for batters as the match progresses. Teams generally prefer batting first to take advantage of the surface. Expect a high-scoring contest if batters settle in early
Weather:
Sydney’s weather is forecast to be mostly cloudy and mild, with temperatures between 18°C and 21°C and a small chance of light rain. Humidity will be moderate, and winds gentle, so playing conditions should be comfortable with only minimal interruption risk.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Elsa Hunter, Mathilda Carmichael, Erin Burns, Kate Pelle, Kate Peterson, Lauren Cheatle, Elyse Villani, Rachel Trenaman, Tabatha Saville, Nicola Carey, Lizelle Lee
Match Details:
Date – October 21, 2025
Time – 4:30 AM IST
Venue – North Sydney Oval, Sydney
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on cricket.com.au.
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