Cricket

Adelaide Strikers emerged victorious in their WBBL clash against Hobart Hurricanes, securing a 38-run win at Adelaide Oval. The victory snapped a five-match losing streak for the defending champions, who are still placed last in the standings.Madeline Penna played a pivotal role for the Strikers, scoring a crucial 60 off 40 deliveries. Her innings, which included six fours and two sixes, helped the Strikers post a competitive total of 140 for 7.In response, the Hurricanes' batting lineup faltered, with only Elyse Villani (44 off 39) managing to make a significant contribution. Tahlia McGrath, the Strikers' captain, led the bowling attack with an impressive 4 for 13, while Megan Schutt and Anesu Mushangwe chipped in with two wickets each.The Hurricanes' innings collapsed dramatically after they reached 63 for 1 in the ninth over. They lost nine wickets for just 39 runs, handing the Strikers a much-needed victory.Penna expressed her delight after the match, stating, "It's been a long time coming, and it's so good we can get a win. To get it at home in front of our fans is so nice."McGrath also shared her excitement, saying, "It's been a really tough season. We haven't quite been up to our standard, and cricket is a brutal game when you're not at your standards."Despite their victory, the Strikers remain at the bottom of the table with a 2-6 record. However, the win provides a glimmer of hope for the defending champions as they look to salvage something from the season.

Lizelle Lee's consecutive centuries have propelled the Hobart Hurricanes to the top of the WBBL ladder, as they defeated the Adelaide Strikers by 28 runs.Lee, who retired from international cricket last year, has become the first player to score hundreds in back-to-back WBBL matches. Her blistering 103 off 59 deliveries, featuring 13 fours and four sixes, laid the foundation for the Hurricanes' imposing total of 191 for 2.The South African opener's knock came just three days after she smashed an unbeaten 150 against the Perth Scorchers, setting a new WBBL record. Lee's dominance has been remarkable, with her 253 runs from 134 balls in the past two matches including 25 fours and 16 sixes.Nicola Carey provided valuable support with an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, while skipper Elyse Villani contributed 23 not out from 14 deliveries.The Strikers' chase got off to a promising start thanks to Smriti Mandhana's quickfire innings. However, the Indian star's dismissal in the eighth over proved to be a turning point.Young legspinner Amy Smith stifled the Strikers' momentum in the middle overs, finishing with an impressive 1 for 16 from four overs. South African import Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 63 off 40 balls, but it was not enough to prevent the Hurricanes from securing a comfortable victory.Lee's consecutive centuries have not only propelled the Hurricanes to the top of the standings but have also cemented her status as one of the most destructive batters in the WBBL. Her ability to clear the boundary with ease and her consistency at the crease make her a formidable opponent.The Hurricanes will be hoping that Lee can continue her remarkable form as they aim to secure a berth in the finals. With three matches in hand, they are well-positioned to challenge for the WBBL title.

Sydney Sixers continued their dominance over Hobart Hurricanes in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), securing a six-run victory in Hobart on Saturday. Sixers captain Ellyse Perry starred with a magnificent 86 off 62 deliveries, leading her team to a competitive total of 155 for 7.Perry's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 11 fours and two sixes. She received support from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Elyse Villani, Chloe Tryon, and Lauren Smith, who all contributed valuable cameos.Hobart Hurricanes' chase began promisingly with Lizelle Lee hitting a boundary off the first ball. However, her dismissal the following delivery set the tone for a challenging innings. Despite a solid start, the Hurricanes lost wickets at crucial intervals, including those of Australian representatives Nicola Carey and Heather Graham.Villani's four boundaries in the power surge overs kept the Hurricanes in contention, but her dismissal and the subsequent loss of Tryon and Molly Strano to the impressive Caoimhe Bray proved decisive.Bray, a talented 15-year-old schoolgirl, played a pivotal role for the Sixers, capturing the key wickets of Carey and Tryon. English spinner Sophie Ecclestone was another standout performer, showcasing her exceptional skills in defending the total.Perry's match-winning knock extended her impressive form in the WBBL, with the all-rounder now boasting an aggregate of 252 runs from four innings. The victory marked the Sixers' 19th win in 21 encounters against the Hurricanes, who have now lost seven straight matches to the Sydney team.

Melbourne Stars Triumph Over Hobart Hurricanes with Bhatia's Stellar KnockIn a thrilling Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) encounter at Junction Oval, the Melbourne Stars emerged victorious over the Hobart Hurricanes by a comfortable seven-wicket margin. Indian opener Yastika Bhatia played a pivotal role in the Stars' success, anchoring their chase with a classy half-century.Batting first, the Hurricanes posted a competitive total of 133 for 7. Nicola Carey and Chloe Tryon provided the backbone of their innings, contributing 44 and 35 runs respectively. However, the Stars' bowling attack, led by Marizanne Kapp and Kim Garth, kept the Hurricanes in check.In response, the Stars chased down the target with ease, reaching 136 for 3 with 13 balls to spare. Bhatia led the charge with a superb 57 off 46 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six. Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland also made significant contributions with the bat.Bhatia expressed her gratitude to Lanning for her guidance during the power surge, which helped her navigate the Hurricanes' bowling attack. She also acknowledged the presence of her family, making the victory even more special.Heather Graham provided some resistance for the Hurricanes, dismissing both Stars openers. Carey also claimed the crucial wicket of Lanning. However, the Stars' batting depth proved too strong, with Bhatia, Lanning, and Sutherland guiding them to a comfortable victory.Indian offspinner Deepti Sharma made her Stars debut in this match, taking 1 for 27 from four overs. Her economical spell further bolstered the Stars' bowling attack.

Hobart Hurricanes' record-breaking chase of 174 against Brisbane Heat on Saturday marked a significant moment in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge played a pivotal role in the victory, smashing 62 runs off just 35 deliveries.Heat's innings was anchored by Grace Harris' 75, who opened the batting for Australia in the recent World Cup. However, Hurricanes' bowlers managed to restrict Heat to a total of 173 for 5.Wyatt-Hodge and fellow opener Lizelle Lee set the tone for Hurricanes' chase with a blistering 55-run partnership in the opening six overs. Wyatt-Hodge continued to dominate the innings, hitting six fours and three sixes.Despite losing Lee for 38, Wyatt-Hodge remained unfazed and rallied her team. She was eventually dismissed by legspinner Grace Parsons, but not before leaving Hurricanes with a manageable target of 33 runs from the final three overs.Elyse Villani's reverse-swept boundary in the final over sealed the victory for Hurricanes, who secured a seven-wicket win with two balls remaining.Wyatt-Hodge's performance earned her the player-of-the-match award, while Parsons' economical spell of 1 for 15 kept Heat in the contest.The victory ended Heat's undefeated start to the WBBL season and marked a record-breaking day for Hurricanes. Their previous best WBBL chase came in October 2021, when they hauled in a target of 145 against Melbourne Stars.

Sydney Thunder's impressive batting performance, led by Heather Knight and Chamari Athapaththu, and Hannah Darlington's effective bowling helped them avenge their earlier WBBL loss to Hobart Hurricanes.Despite a 31-run defeat in Hobart three days prior, Thunder emerged victorious in a rain-affected match at North Sydney Oval, winning by 33 runs. The match was reduced to 17 overs per side due to a 30-minute delay.Athapaththu (38 off 29) and Knight (48 off 28) played crucial roles in Thunder's total of 146 for 5. Hurricanes made a strong start, scoring 18 runs off the first seven balls, but their momentum was halted as they lost five wickets for just 13 runs in the final overs.Darlington claimed the key wickets of Lizelle Lee and Heather Graham, while Athapaththu contributed with the ball, taking 1 for 11 off three overs and dismissing England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Knight, who missed the first encounter between the teams, showcased her class with some elegant shots, particularly during the power surge over bowled by Molly Strano. She struck 14 runs off the last three balls, including a six over long off and two fours.Athapaththu, who had been dismissed for a first-ball duck in the previous match, was dropped at deep midwicket on 5. She went on to hit sixes over deep midwicket and long off before being caught by Strano off her own bowling.In response, Lee started aggressively, hitting boundaries off the first two balls of Hurricanes' chase. However, Thunder's bowlers fought back, with Athapaththu having Wyatt-Hodge caught at backward point. Nicola Carey, who had scored a half-century in the previous game, was dismissed by Shabnim Ismail.Lee was adjudged lbw after the mid-innings break, but replays showed she would have been reprieved if she had used DRS. A 43-run partnership between Graham and Elyse Villani gave Hurricanes hope, but their dismissals in successive overs triggered a collapse.

Matthew Wade, the former Australian wicketkeeper-batter, has bid farewell to international cricket and will embark on a new chapter as a coach with the national team. Wade's retirement comes after a distinguished career spanning over a decade, during which he represented Australia in 36 Tests, 97 ODIs, and 92 T20Is.Wade's international journey began in 2011, and he quickly established himself as a versatile player, capable of contributing with both bat and gloves. He played a pivotal role in Australia's T20 World Cup triumph in 2021, showcasing his prowess as a finisher with a match-winning knock in the semi-final against Pakistan.In recent years, Wade has transitioned to a more specialized role as a batter, and he enjoyed a successful return to the Test side in 2019, scoring two centuries in the Ashes series. However, his Test career came to an end in 2021, and he also retired from red-ball cricket at the domestic level in March 2023.While Wade's international career has come to a close, he will continue to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Hobart Hurricanes and participate in franchise tournaments around the world. He will also bring his experience and expertise to the Australian T20I squad as a coach, working alongside head coach Andre Borovec.Wade's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket, as he was one of the last remaining members of the team that won the 2015 World Cup. His contributions to the national team have been immense, and he will be remembered as a skilled and versatile player who always gave his all on the field.

Hobart Hurricanes have made history by calling up 13-year-old Mia Barwick to their squad for the T20 Spring Challenge. Barwick, a promising pace bowler, replaces Heather Graham, who has joined the Australian team for the T20 World Cup following Tayla Vlaeminck's injury.Barwick has showcased her talent in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League and has represented Australia at the Under-16 and Under-19 Female National Championships. Her inclusion in the Hurricanes squad is a testament to her exceptional skills and the Hurricanes' commitment to developing young talent.The T20 Spring Challenge has provided a platform for young players to gain valuable experience in the absence of leading Australian players competing in the T20 World Cup and overseas WBBL players. Sydney Sixers have also given an opportunity to 15-year-old allrounder Caoimhe Bray, who has impressed with her performances for Australia Under-19s.The Spring Challenge was introduced to compensate for the reduced number of games in the WBBL, which will feature a 40-game regular season. Initially conceived as a state competition, it was later aligned with WBBL clubs due to pressure from New South Wales and Victoria.Barwick's inclusion in the Hurricanes squad is a significant milestone for women's cricket in Australia. It demonstrates the growing opportunities for young female athletes and the importance of providing pathways for their development. The T20 Spring Challenge is playing a crucial role in this regard, offering young players the chance to showcase their skills and gain experience at the highest level.

New Zealand cricket legend Suzie Bates has joined the Hobart Hurricanes for the latter stages of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). The 37-year-old all-rounder, who has played over 100 WBBL matches for three different teams, was not selected in this year's draft.Bates' signing comes as a replacement for England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who is expected to join her national team for a tour of South Africa. Wyatt-Hodge's departure would have left a significant void in the Hurricanes' lineup, but Bates' experience and versatility will help fill that gap.With 167 T20I appearances to her name, Bates is one of the most experienced players in the world. She is also the all-time leading run-scorer in women's T20Is, with over 3,000 runs to her credit.Hurricanes general manager Salliann Beams expressed her delight at Bates' signing, saying, "Bringing Suzie into our WBBL squad just made sense. She provides more than 130 games of T20I cricket and will give us an experienced operator when we lose someone of Danni's ability in our line-up."Bates will join a Hurricanes squad that already boasts international stars Chloe Tryon and Lizelle Lee. The team will be hoping to make a deep run in the WBBL playoffs, and Bates' addition will undoubtedly boost their chances.