In the fast-paced and exciting world of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), partnerships are often the heartbeat of any team’s success. The Hobart Hurricanes have seen some valuable partnerships over the seasons, with players stepping up to build critical partnerships that have turned the game around and made the Hurricanes a force to reckon with. From record-breaking chases to steady, game-changing re-builds, these partnerships highlight the grit, skill, and chemistry between batters that define the Hurricanes’ journey in the league.
1. Nicola Carey & Danni Wyatt-Hodge – 143 runs
This partnership stands as the Hurricanes’ highest-ever WBBL partnership and one of the most thrilling in the league’s history. Chasing a challenging target of 182 against Sydney Thunder in the 2025 season opener, the Hurricanes stumbled early, losing two quick wickets for only 27 runs. Enter Carey and Wyatt-Hodge, who orchestrated a masterful 143-run partnership that rescued the innings. Wyatt-Hodge, playing with a brilliant blend of aggression and control, smashed a high-octane unbeaten 90 off just 52 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes. Carey complemented her perfectly, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 58, skillfully rotating the strike and punishing the loose balls.
Their partnership swung momentum entirely in Hobart’s favour, keeping the scoreboard ticking methodically while neutralizing the threat of the Thunder bowlers. The stand was punctuated by clinical running between wickets and sharp shot selection, eventually guiding the Hurricanes to their highest successful WBBL chase with six wickets and three balls to spare. Their chemistry was evident as they balanced risk and caution in a high-pressure chase, making this partnership a hallmark of composure and team synergy.
2. Lizelle Lee and Nicola Carey – 133 runs
Lizelle Lee and Nicola Carey shared a remarkable 133-run partnership for the second wicket during the 2024 Women’s Big Bash League season, marking a defining moment for the Hobart Hurricanes. Coming together after an early wicket, Lee and Carey steadied the innings before launching a dominant counterattack against the Adelaide Strikers’ bowling unit. Lee was at her explosive best, hammering 103 runs off 59 balls with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, while Carey provided the perfect balance at the other end, playing with composure and timing to remain unbeaten on 64 from 46 deliveries. Their partnership not only became the highest for any wicket in the 2024 WBBL season but also set a new all-time record for the Hurricanes in league history.
Their brilliance propelled the Hurricanes to an imposing total of 191 for 2, giving them full control of the contest. The Adelaide Strikers, despite possessing a strong batting lineup, couldn’t keep pace with the required rate and eventually fell short by 28 runs. Lee’s century was one of the highlights of what turned out to be a record-breaking season for her, which also included a sensational 150 not out off just 75 balls against the Perth Scorchers—the highest individual score ever recorded in WBBL history. The 133-run stand remained a benchmark for the Hurricanes until the 2025 season, when Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nicola Carey combined again to surpass it with a 143-run partnership, setting a new club record and further underlining Carey’s reputation as a consistent match-winner for the franchise.
3. Rachel Priest and Hayley Matthews – 127*
Rachel Priest and Hayley Matthews shared a significant partnership of 127* runs for the Hobart Hurricanes during their Women’s Big Bash League match against the Sydney Sixers in the 2020-21 season. After an early setback, Priest and Matthews combined to stabilize and then build a commanding innings. Rachel Priest played with remarkable consistency and skill, scoring a patient yet authoritative 92* runs off 63 balls, anchoring the innings with a blend of calculated risk-taking and steady accumulation. Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews supported the innings with an aggressive but controlled 41* runs from 39 deliveries, contributing key boundaries and maintaining a healthy strike rate. Their partnership was crucial in pushing the Hurricanes to a total of 143 for 1 in 18.1 overs, outscoring the Sydney Sixers.
This 127-run stand between Priest and Matthews was the highest partnership for the Hurricanes in that match and played a decisive role in their performance, with Priest earning the Player of the Match award for her instrumental innings. The partnership highlighted both players’ complementary styles—Priest anchoring and Matthews providing an attacking impetus—showcasing their ability to craft an innings under pressure and against quality opposition. Their combined efforts not only set a challenging total but also demonstrated the Hurricanes’ depth and resilience in the middle order, securing a competitive edge in the tightly contested WBBL season.
4. Ruth Johnston and Mignon du Preez – 120 runs
Ruth Johnston and Mignon du Preez forged a pivotal 120-run partnership for the second wicket during a Women’s Big Bash League match on November 19, 2021, which played a crucial role in guiding the Hobart Hurricanes to a commanding total of 5-161 against the Melbourne Renegades. After an early setback, Johnston and du Preez steadied the innings with a mix of aggressive strokeplay and calculated finesse. Johnston showcased remarkable composure and power, scoring 63 runs off 46 balls with a well-paced innings that combined critical boundaries and intelligent running between the wickets. At the same time, du Preez contributed a steady 50 off 46 balls, complementing Johnston’s aggression with her own precise shot selection and calm presence at the crease. Their partnership was characterized by effective rotating of the strike and timely boundary hitting, which helped the Hurricanes recover momentum and build a competitive total despite pressure from the Renegades’ bowlers.
This valuable partnership ultimately proved decisive as the Hobart Hurricanes’ total of 161 set a challenging target that the ladder-leading Melbourne Renegades could not chase down. The Hurricanes’ bowlers then delivered an impressive performance, bowling out the Renegades for just 109 runs to secure a 52-run victory in a major upset. The stand between Johnston and du Preez was the second-highest partnership in Hurricanes history at the time and demonstrated both players’ ability to perform under pressure against a top-ranked opponent. Their innings not only laid the foundation for victory but also highlighted their importance as key contributors for the Hurricanes throughout the season, with both players displaying a blend of experience and emerging talent that bolstered their team’s competitive spirit and resilience.
5. Lizelle Lee and Elyse Villani – 114 runs
Lizelle Lee and Elyse Villani orchestrated a critical 114-run partnership for the third wicket during the Hobart Hurricanes’ Women’s Big Bash League match against the Perth Scorchers on November 10, 2024. The Hurricanes had a shaky start, losing two wickets quickly to be 16 for 2 in the third over, placing immense pressure on the middle order. Villani played a supporting role in the partnership, contributing a patient 14 runs off 19 balls, focusing on strike rotation and stability. In contrast, Lizelle Lee dominated the stand and the innings with a breathtaking display of power-hitting, accumulating an unbeaten 150 runs off just 75 balls. Her innings was a remarkable mix of precision, timing, and sheer strength, highlighted by a record-setting 12 sixes—the most ever hit in a single Women’s T20 innings worldwide. This partnership entirely shifted momentum, allowing the Hurricanes to recover and build a formidable total of 203 for 3.
Lizelle Lee’s staggering 150 not out was not only the highest individual score in WBBL history but also the fifth highest in all women’s T20 cricket, underscoring her extraordinary talent and resilience. She reached her century in just 51 balls, with a combination of aggressive stroke play, including several boundary-laden overs and back-to-back sixes that fueled the surge. Lee’s dominant contribution accounted for more than half of the Hurricanes’ total, an extraordinary feat that underscored her pivotal role in the innings. The partnership with Villani was essential in stabilizing the innings after early losses, buying Lee the time and platform to impose herself on the bowlers. Their stand laid the foundation for a commanding score, which the Hurricanes’ bowlers defended well, leading to a comprehensive 72-run victory over the Scorchers. This innings by Lee marked a historic moment in women’s cricket, showcasing both individual brilliance and a crucial partnership under pressure that turned the match decisively in the Hurricanes’ favor.
Each of these partnerships reflects a different aspect of the Hurricanes’ batting depth and adaptability. From record-breaking chases to steady building of innings and lower-order grit, the Hobart Hurricanes have demonstrated that their greatest strength lies in partnerships forged by trust, understanding, and a shared commitment to success.
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