The ongoing 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is in its business end and a spot in the knockouts is still up for grabs after 38 league games. The 38th match between the Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers was a crucial one for both teams, as a victory would keep their qualification hopes alive.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Scorchers made a solid start despite losing an early wicket—Maddy Darke for 10 (11), leaving them at 1/23. However, Beth Mooney and Brooke Halliday steadied the innings with a 39-run partnership. After Brooke was dismissed for 21 (16), captain Sophie Devine and Mooney kept the momentum going, combining for a 32-ball 43-run stand that lifted the Scorchers’ total to 105/3 inside 14th overs.
Beth Mooney (50 off 40 balls) was dismissed shortly after Sophie Devine’s departure for 28 (22). The Scorchers then suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their final six wickets for just 20 runs, ultimately being bowled out for 138/10 in 20 overs. Spinners Amy Smith (3/17 off 4) and Lauren Smith (2/24 off 4) shared five wickets between them, while Nicola Carey (1/17 off 3) also claimed a wicket.
In reply, the Hurricanes got off to a strong start, amassing 51 runs in the first 5 overs, before Elyse Villani was dismissed for 11 (13) off the first delivery of the next over. It wasn’t long before they lost the in-form Lee for 44 off 22 balls. Failing to capitalize on the solid foundation, the Hurricanes experienced a collapse, losing key middle-order batters—Nicola Carey (8), Heather Graham (1), and Suzie Bates (0)—in quick succession, collapsing from 64/2 to 71/5.
Tabatha Saville joined Kathryn Bryce, and they shared an important partnership, calming the chaos. Their 21-ball 24-run stand ended when Saville was dismissed for 11 (10), and two balls later, Molly Strano was also dismissed without scoring. With just three wickets remaining and 44 runs still required, the task seemed daunting. However, Bryce and Smith made light work of the chase, guiding the Hurricanes to victory.
As Bryce accelerated and Smith anchored, their 30-ball 44-run partnership saw the Hurricanes comfortably over the line with 14 balls to spare. With the Scorchers knocked out, the Hurricanes’ hopes of reaching the knockouts remain alive. Skipper Sophie Devine (4/26 off 4) triggered the initial collapse, supported by Chloe Ainsworth (1/15 off 3) and Amy Edgar (1/27 off 3), but despite their efforts, it wasn’t to be for the Scorchers.
Notably, the unbeaten 44-run partnership between Bryce and Smith is the highest in WBBL history for a winning side while chasing, after the fall of the 7th wicket (stat credit: Hypocaust).
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