Adelaide Strikers Women held their nerve in a closely contested Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 against Hobart Hurricanes Women, producing a disciplined bowling effort before completing a challenging run chase to secure a four-wicket victory. Nicola Carey was the standout performer for Hobart with the bat, while Emma de Broughe played a crucial role in Adelaide’s successful chase.
Hobart Hurricanes Women had a challenging start to their innings as Adelaide Strikers Women looked to make early inroads with the ball. The opening wicket fell at 21 in 3.5 overs with Lizelle Lee departing, putting the Hurricanes under immediate pressure. The situation became more difficult when Rachel Trenaman was dismissed at 31 in 4.4 overs, leaving the side with two early wickets down.
Chamari Athapaththu was the next batter to depart, with the scoreboard reading 66 in 11.6 overs. With three wickets down, Hobart needed someone to take responsibility and rebuild the innings. Nicola Carey stepped up brilliantly, showing tremendous composure and determination under pressure.
Carey found support from Heather Graham, and the pair helped the Hurricanes recover from their early setbacks. Their partnership brought some much-needed stability, taking the score from 66 to 107 before Graham’s dismissal at the 17.1-over mark. Graham contributed 14 runs off 13 deliveries before being run out through a combined effort from Madeline Penna and Megan Schutt.
Chinelle Henry then joined Carey at the crease, but her stay was short-lived. She managed six runs from five balls before being run out at 138 in 19.6 overs, with Penna and Ellie Johnston involved in the dismissal. Meanwhile, Carey continued to anchor the innings and remained unbeaten on an impressive 66 off 53 deliveries, striking nine boundaries. Her knock was the backbone of Hobart’s batting effort and ensured that the team had something competitive to defend. The Hurricanes finished their 20 overs at 138/5, with 14 extras contributing to the final score.
For Adelaide Strikers Women, the bowling attack was led by several economical performances. Ella Wilson was particularly impressive, conceding just 12 runs in her four overs, while Eleanor Larosa gave away 13 runs in two overs. Megan Schutt bowled four overs for 24 runs, and Tahlia McGrath conceded 23 runs in three overs. Sophie Ecclestone picked up one wicket but was relatively expensive, conceding 37 runs in four overs. Madeline Penna also claimed a wicket, although she conceded 14 runs in her single over. Amanda-Jade Wellington completed the attack with two economical overs, giving away just 10 runs without taking a wicket.
Chasing 139 for victory, Adelaide Strikers Women needed a steady start and meaningful contributions from their top order. Emma de Broughe and Maia Bouchier provided exactly that, building an important opening partnership of 43 runs before Bouchier was dismissed at 43 in 5.6 overs. Bouchier played an attacking knock of 26 from 19 deliveries, including five boundaries, giving the Strikers early momentum. Laura Wolvaardt then joined de Broughe, and the pair continued to keep the scoreboard moving.
Their partnership added another 36 runs, taking Adelaide to 79 before de Broughe departed at the 10.5-over mark. She was the leading scorer for the Strikers with a valuable 41 off 37 balls, hitting four boundaries. Wolvaardt continued to hold one end together, contributing 27 runs from 27 deliveries with two boundaries. However, the third wicket fell at 96 in 13.5 overs when Tahlia McGrath was dismissed for 14 off 14 balls. McGrath’s contribution included two boundaries, but Hobart managed to prevent the Strikers from building an uninterrupted partnership.
Madeline Penna came in next and added another useful 14 runs from 13 deliveries, striking two boundaries. She shared a 24-run partnership with the incoming batters before being dismissed at 120 in 17.3 overs. The Hurricanes continued to fight back as Ellie Johnston departed for three off five balls, leaving Adelaide at 127/5 in 18.5 overs. Laura Wolvaardt was the next to fall at 129 in 19.2 overs, scoring 27 from 27 deliveries. With the chase entering its final stages, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Sophie Ecclestone ensured there would be no further collapse.
Wellington remained unbeaten on one from two balls, while Ecclestone provided the finishing touch with a quickfire unbeaten nine off just three deliveries, including two boundaries. Their partnership took Adelaide across the finish line, with the Strikers reaching 139/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Molly Strano was among Hobart’s leading performers with the ball, finishing with two wickets for 30 runs in four overs. Nicola Carey also claimed a wicket, conceding 30 runs in her four overs. Chinelle Henry bowled one over and gave away 12 runs without taking a wicket, while Heather Graham delivered an economical spell of four overs for 20 runs. Isabella Malgioglio picked up one wicket in her three overs, conceding 25 runs. Lauren Smith was particularly effective, taking two wickets while giving away just six runs in two overs. Hayley Silver-Holmes completed the bowling attack with two overs for 15 runs.
Despite the efforts of Strano, Smith, Carey and Malgioglio, Hobart could not prevent the Strikers from completing the chase.
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