What an entertaining contest we've witnessed here at the Bellerive Oval! A record-breaking run chase from the Hobart Hurricanes, who cruise to victory and strengthen their position at the top of the points table.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat who, along with scorer/analyst Dushyant Madhukar Kumar brought all the actions of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
Highest 2nd Wicket Partnerships for Hobart Hurricanes in WBBL:
186/1 - Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers, Adelaide, 2024 (T-186)
185/4 - Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat, Brisbane, 2019 (T-184)
184/5 - Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars, North Sydney, 2020 (T-184)
182/4 - Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, Brisbane, 2025 (T-182)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (Player of the Match): "For me, it was really about taking a bit of time at the start and not forcing things too early. Once the lights came on and the shine came off the ball, it felt a lot easier to play my shots. There was a little bit of dew as well, so I knew the game would change as it went on.
That partnership with Danni was exactly what we needed - we settled in, communicated well, and built from there. Wyatt-Hodge were brilliant up top, and their start took a huge amount of pressure off the rest of us coming in. When the top order does that job so well, it gives you the freedom to play your natural game later.
Today just happened to fall my way, but honestly, that’s been the theme of our season - everyone stepping up in different moments. In terms of finding rhythm, I probably felt proper when I played that paddle sweep. It’s a shot I’ve gotten out to earlier in the tournament, but I backed myself because it’s a strength of mine, and I knew the team would back that decision too.
I’ve been trying to stay positive and consistent with my mindset, even though the big runs hadn’t come before today."
Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt
4:40 PM IST & 10:10 PM Local Time: That’s the end of the contest! A sensational run chase from the Hurricanes as they notch up their sixth win of WBBL 2025 and stay firmly on top of the points table. This is also the highest successful run chase in WBBL history!
Earlier in the day, the Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and opted to chase. They got off to a dream start as Molly Strano struck with the very first ball of the match, removing Katie Mack for a golden duck. She then picked up Maddy Darke off the final ball of the same over, leaving the Scorchers reeling at 4/2 after the opening over.
The experienced duo of Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney steadied the innings with a crucial 66-run stand for the third wicket. Linsey Smith eventually broke the partnership, removing Devine for 28 off 24 balls. Freya Kemp (34 off 22) and Paige Scholfield (26* off 13) chipped in with vital lower-order contributions, supporting Mooney, who anchored the innings from start to finish. Her superb 75 off 55 balls powered the Perth Scorchers to a commanding total of 186/5 in 20 overs.Molly Strano (2/23) was the standout bowler for the Hurricanes.
In reply, the Hurricanes got off to a flying start. Lizelle Lee cracked a few early boundaries before Devine removed her for 14. Nat Sciver-Brunt then walked in at Number 3 to join her countrywoman Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and the pair built a marathon stand. They kept the scoreboard moving with smart rotation of strike and punished anything loose, steadily taking the game away from the Scorchers.
Sciver-Brunt and Wyatt-Hodge piled on a commanding 135-run stand for the second wicket, completely swinging the momentum in the Hurricanes’ favour. They capitalized brilliantly during the Power Surge, smashing 27 runs off those two overs. Sciver-Brunt was sensational, playing a blinder of an innings, before Alana King finally ended the partnership by removing her for a superb 81 off 48. Wyatt-Hodge followed soon after, falling in the very next over for a well-made 55 off 38.
With 19 needed off the final 18 balls, Nicola Carey (12* off 9) and Elyse Villani (12* off 9) kept their cool and ensured there were no late stumbles in the record chase. The duo calmly guided the Hurricanes home with five balls to spare. Hobart have chased down a massive 187, winning by seven wickets and sealing a historic run chase in style. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
OVER 20
Hobart Hurricanes Women
189/3
Elyse Villani
12(9)
Nicola Carey
12(9)
Amy Louise Edgar
0-41(3.1)
19.1 Edgar to E Villani
6 SIX! TONKED! DONE AND DUSTED! Full and around middle. Elyse backs away, gets underneath it, and smashes it downtown over the bowler's head for a biggie. THE HOBART HURRICANES HAVE DEFEATED PERTH SCORCHERS BY 7 WICKETS WITH 5 BALLS TO SPARE.