The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
Right then, we have come to the end of our coverage for the WBBL contest. Up until the next time, this is myself (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentator Keshav Singh Chundawat.
Hobart Hurricanes captain Ellyse Villani: Very happy at the moment and it'll be nice to wake up tomorrow knowing that we crossed the line today. The bowlers have been good this entire tournament and it has been our whole lot of the bowling group in terms of we are able back in the tournament. Amy Smith is just getting better with each game and just the way the bowlers have been able to lead, this team has been incredibly positive. It was an interesting wicket to be honest–it was sliding on a little bit. That first ball from Ainsworth to Lizelle kept pretty low. I think Lizelle’s intent was great for us to get ahead of the run rate. I think that was really important. But in terms of the conditions, the bowlers kept the stumps in play, taking the pace off. It was really critical for our bowlers. Yeah, just incredibly pumped to get across the line there. I think it’s our batting group–one of the top four batters needs to go out and make a really big statement and take the game on and take ownership for the team at the top. To see our lower order get us across the line with an exceptional inning from Lizelle at the top was really good. But, we can’t show our way from the fact that top-four need to make a big score and that’s why we are in the team. And I’m gonna need to do that to progress our team into the finals. Lizelle’s a character and I encourage each and everyone of our players to be their individual self, something that was spoken about a lot. It is really important to enjoy the game. The great thing about this game is that it attracts people from all different walks of life and if you’re out there with a smile on your face as there are so many ebbs and flows in the game. This keeps Lizelle relaxed behind the stumps. Molly Strano was even joking with her saying that she is going to represent the Tasmanian lawnball team. So yeah, it's good fun out with the girls.
Kathryn Bryce is the player of the match: It was a bit rocky in the middle period there but I knew we could build a partnership there, obviously with Liz getting us such a positive start. The run rate was not much of an issue and it was such a quick outfield and it was well to give us a chance at the end. I talked to Lauren Smith during drinks about taking Power Surge as deep in the game as possible with 20-30 runs to win to get ahead of the game. We were building really nicely and going over a run a ball without Power Surge, so I just thought if we could like actually take a few extra fielders in then to put more pressure on them and get the game as deep as possible. I was panicking a little but I think when you are in the middle it’s always easier than watching it from the sidelines. When you are in the middle and trying to find that zone and with Lauren Smith it was just fantastic to try to keep running and build a partnership. When they brought the field up to her I knew she had the ability to get the ball through and got some quick runs as well to build a partnership. I think it’s just about always keep moving forward and at the start of the day you don’t know what’s coming forward and the ball before. All you can do is focus on that next ball and that was really key out there to not look at wickets and just focus on the runs needed. We'll see how Sarah Bryce will go there and just play the game. She can do well tomorrow but not too well.
Hobart Hurricanes won by 3 wickets (with 14 deliveries to spare)
Lizelle Lee 44(22) | Amy Smith 3/17(4) Beth Mooney 50(40) | Sophie Devine 4/26(4)
Despite a valiant effort from the Perth Scorchers bowlers, it was the Hobart Hurricanes lower order who held their nerves and ensured a 43 run stand between Kathryn Bryce and Lauren Smith took them over the finish line with 3 wickets in hand. The opening duo of Lizelle Lee got going from the outset. Lee in particular started finding the boundaries on a consistent basis and shared a 51 run stand with Villani.
Her contribution was only 11 before Amy Edgar trapped her right in front of the stumps. Lee went onto score a 22 ball 44 before departing courtesy of a stupendous running catch from Sophie Devine. From a comfortable position of 64/1, the Hobart Hurricanes completely lost their way, losing their next 6 wickets for just 31 runs.
Sophie Devine was the wrecker-in-chief in the middle overs, bagging 4 crucial wickets to peg back the hosts. It was the partnership between Kathryn Bryce and Lauren Smith which eventually took them over the finish line. Bryce looked in complete command of proceedings and remained unbeaten on 34 off 24 deliveries while Lauren remained undefeated on 16 to see their side through.
17.4 Carly Leeson to Kathryn Bryce, FOUR!! Not the shot Bryce desired to play, but still a four behind the stumps. HOBART HURRICANES WIN BY 3 WICKETS and QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS IN THE FOURTH SPOT.
17.3 Carly Leeson to Kathryn Bryce, FOUR!! This one is hit over the mid-off fielder for another boundary
17.2 Carly Leeson to Kathryn Bryce, FOUR!! fuller tossed up into the batter who drives it through mid-off for a boundary
17.1 Carly Leeson to Lauren Smith, takes another single
17
overs
129/7score
0
4
4
1
1
1
runs
Lauren Smith*
15(17)
Kathryn Bryce
25(21)
Carly Leeson
0/16
16.6 Carly Leeson to Lauren Smith, plays it deep in the off side and takes an easy single. 10 runs needed off 18 balls