Record-breaking Lizelle Lee fires Hurricanes to big win
Hobart Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee put on a stunning display by smashing the record for the highest score in WBBL history in her side's comfortable win over Perth Scorchers. Retired from international cricket in 2022, the South African broke the record previously held by Grace Harris (136*) to remain unbeaten on 150 off just 75 deliveries in her side's total of 203/3.
The assault took place despite Chloe Ainsworth striking early twice to reduce Hurricanes to 16/2 in just three overs. Lee smashed successive sixes in the very next over to break free and signal her intentions before bringing up a 29-ball half-century. Elyse Villani was just a mere spectator in their century stand as it was all Lee causing the damage.
The 32-year-old reached her ton off 51 deliveries with another six as she went on to clear the ropes 12 times in her innings, which was again a record in women's T20 cricket, with the previous being 11 from Harris. Lee's 150* is the fifth highest score in women's T20 cricket. Post that hammering, Scorchers were in for a rude shock in the run chase as Molly Strano got rid of Sophie Devine first ball before Chloe Piparo got run out for a duck off the third delivery of the innings. 0/2 quickly became 15/3 as Strano dismissed Dayalan Hemalatha as well.
Wickets fell in heaps as Heather Graham got into the act in the middle overs to ensure the chase never got going. If not for a few lusty blows towards the end from Ainsworth, Scorchers wouldn't have likely breached 100.
Brief scores: Hobart Hurricanes 203/3 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 150*; Chloe Ainsworth 2/17) beat Perth Scorchers 131 in 19.3 overs (Chloe Ainsworth 41; Heather Graham 3/24, Molly Strano 2/17) by 72 runs
A rapid half-century from Heather Knight which was then backed up by a disciplined bowling effort gave Sydney Thunder their fourth straight win in the competition that has put them on the top of the table. Chamari Athapaththu was not at her fluent best but still laid a platform with a 46-run opening stand alongside Georgia Voll for Thunder. But once Athapaththu was sent packing at the halfway mark for a 35-ball 33 by Ashleigh Gardner, Knight and skipper Phoebe Litchfield took charge.
The pair added 69 runs in just seven overs to inject some much-needed momentum into the innings. Knight smashed eight boundaries in her 31-ball fifty whereas Litchfield was well-set as well at the other end. Thunder were well placed at 136/2 with three overs left in the innings, looking primed to breach the 170-mark. However, Sixers staged a commendable comeback in the final three overs to keep their opponents to 158/6.
They would have fancied their chances of hunting the target down given the form Ellyse Perry has been in. However, Thunder took control of the derby by sending both Perry and Alyssa Healy back to the pavilion inside the first five overs. Athapaththu then stopped Amelia Kerr's progress as Sixers now had to rely on their middle order to get the job done. However, 52/3 very quickly became 63/5 before Gardner kept the chase alive with a valiant effort. But once she fell for 49 with 13 balls still left, Thunder regained total control and closed out the game in their favour.
Brief scores: Sydney Thunder 158/6 in 20 overs (Heather Knight 50, Phoebe Litchfield 34; Amelia Kerr 2/23) beat Sydney Sixers 140 in 19.4 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 49; Samantha Bates 3/22, Taneale Peschel 2/24) by 18 runs
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