Hobart Hurricanes power to maiden WBBL trophy

Ethan James |

The Hobart Hurricanes’ Linsey Smith picked up two wickets from her two overs in the WBBL final.
The Hobart Hurricanes’ Linsey Smith picked up two wickets from her two overs in the WBBL final.

The Hobart Hurricanes have won their maiden WBBL title with a comprehensive win over the Perth Scorchers thanks to an unbeaten 77 off 44 balls by Lizelle Lee. 

Hobart, who topped the table at the end of the regular season, grassed half a dozen chances in the field but were still able to restrict their opposition to 5-137.

Lee then turned on the fireworks in the chase as her side reeled off the target with eight wickets in hand and 30 balls to spare on Saturday night in front of a delighted home crowd.

Hobart Hurricanes celebrate a wicket
The Hobart Hurricanes have won their first WBBL title in front of a home crowd. (Linda Higginson/AAP PHOTOS)

The Hurricanes’ first trophy in the 11th edition of the WBBL came after their male counterparts broke through to win the BBL crown last season. 

Lee whacked three consecutive boundaries in the opening over, which included a drop that was parried across the rope. 

In scenes reminiscent of Mitchell Owen’s stunning hundred for the Hurricanes in the January BBL decider, Lee turned up the heat and finished with 10 fours and four sixes. 

Lizelle Lee and Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Lizelle Lee and Danni Wyatt-Hodge got the Hurricanes off to a flying start in the WBBL decider. (Linda Higginson/AAP PHOTOS)

Lee’s knock was the highest score in a WBBL final and her best score of the season. 

Scorchers legspinner Alana King, who was in good form heading into the contest, copped some punishment and went for 0-25 off two overs. 

Lee shared a 77-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt (35 to 27) to iron out the majority of the chase.

Earlier, Perth won the bat flip and opted to bat but struggled to get their innings going, despite Hobart missing chances in the field.

In-form opener Beth Mooney (33 from 26) was dropped three times in the powerplay before being bowled by Heather Graham in the 11th over. 

Beth Mooney of Perth Scorchers
Beth Mooney was dropped three times in the powerplay on her way to scoring 33 for the Scorchers. (Linda Higginson/AAP PHOTOS)

Graham (2-26) also picked up the big scalp of Scorchers’ skipper Sophie Devine. 

New Zealand international Devine, who was dropped on 27, was circumspect early but came to life with two sixes, before getting stumped in the 17th over. 

Hobart’s English spinner Linsey Smith bowled just two overs but finished with a valuable 2-4.

The Hurricanes earned a direct passage to the final after ending the season atop the table, while Perth, who were gunning for their second title, won two finals games to qualify.

AAP