South African powerhouse Lizelle Lee, now 33, etched her name into the Women’s Big Bash League’s (WBBL) history books by making her 100th appearance in the competition.
Representing Hobart Hurricanes in the ongoing 11th edition of the WBBL (November 9–December 13, 2025), Lee reached the milestone during their fixture against the Melbourne Stars, led by Annabel Sutherland, at the Junction Oval, Melbourne, on November 26.
Though she was dismissed for a golden duck by compatriot Marizanne Kapp in pursuit of a 152-run target, the moment symbolised an enduring career built on consistency, evolution, and explosive batting. Despite the Hurricanes losing by 37 runs, they retained the top spot on the points table with 10 points from 7 matches, while the Stars climbed to second with 9 points from 6 games.
Across 100 WBBL games, Lee has compiled 2,647 runs at a strike rate of 132.41 and an average of 29.41, featuring 13 half-centuries and 5 centuries, a testament to her standing as one of the most destructive opening batters the league has seen.
Lizelle Lee’s WBBL journey began on December 9, 2017, when she made her debut for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Sixers at North Sydney. Her aggressive style immediately stood out as she brought international experience and raw power to the top order. During her tenure with the Stars, she scored 1,100 runs in 39 innings at a strike rate of 125.57 and an average of 29.72, registering 7 fifties and 2 centuries across 40 matches.
Her standout innings for the Stars came on November 2, 2019, at the W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth, where she smashed an unbeaten 103 off 65 balls against Perth Scorchers. Blasting 13 fours and 3 sixes, Lee anchored the Stars’ total of 155/3, paving the way for a 20-run victory. That commanding knock earned her the Player of the Match award and showcased the full scope of her big-hitting prowess.
In 2020, Lee switched allegiance within Melbourne, joining the Renegades for a fresh challenge. She made her Renegades debut on October 25, 2020, against her former side, Melbourne Stars, at Sydney. Although her run with the Renegades was brief, she compiled 261 runs at a strike rate of 121.96 and an average of 21.75 in 13 matches, registering one half-century in 12 innings.
Her best came on November 21, 2020, at the North Sydney Oval against Sydney Sixers, when she produced a blazing 79 off 45 balls, marked by 9 boundaries and 4 sixes. Chasing 167, the Renegades crossed the line by 6 wickets, and Lee’s innings earned her yet another Player of the Match accolade, proof of her ability to shift momentum single-handedly.
Lee’s move to Hobart Hurricanes in 2022 marked the start of her most productive and sustained phase in the WBBL. Making her debut for the franchise on October 14, 2022, against Sydney Thunder in Sydney, she quickly became the cornerstone of the Hurricanes’ batting unit. Since then, she has stacked up 1,286 runs at a strike rate of 141.47 and an average of 31.36 in 45 innings, including 5 fifties and 3 centuries in 47 matches.
Her crowning achievement in purple came on November 10, 2024, again against Perth Scorchers, when she unleashed a record-breaking 150* off 75 balls, peppered with 12 fours and an astonishing 12 sixes. That mammoth innings powered Hobart to 203/3 and a commanding 72-run victory, arguably one of the most dominant performances in WBBL history, earning the Player of the Match accolade yet again.
In the ongoing 2025–26 season, Lee has continued to impress with 182 runs at a strike rate of 149.18 and an average of 30.33 in 7 innings, including a couple of half-centuries. She is currently the 2nd-highest run-scorer for her side and the 5th highest run-scorer of the tournament in the ongoing season. Her presence at the top continues to set the tone for a Hurricanes side led by Elyse Villani, which currently holds the top spot in the standings with five wins from seven matches.
Across three franchises, Lizelle Lee’s WBBL career has reflected both adaptability and impact. From her early fireworks with the Stars to a brief, fiery stint with the Renegades, and finally, her resurgence and leadership influence at the Hurricanes, Lee has embodied the spirit of modern T20 batting, fearless, consistent, and entertaining.
As she celebrated her 100th WBBL match, her record stands not just as a statistical achievement but as a story of endurance and reinvention. For Hobart Hurricanes and the fans of the women’s game, Lizelle Lee remains a symbol of attacking brilliance and veteran wisdom in the ever-evolving landscape of the WBBL.
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