Hurricanes clinch narrow win over Strikers to remain unbeaten

Danielle Wyatt-Hodge's unbeaten half-century helped Hobart Hurricanes prevail in a low-scoring thriller against Adelaide Strikers at Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Wyatt-Hodge struck a 57-ball 72, which included nine fours, while Hayley Silver-Holmes struck two crucial boundaries in the final over with eight needed as Hurricanes got across the line with two deliveries to spare and four wickets in hand.

The win made it four out of four for Hurricanes, while it was the second defeat for Strikers in four matches, along with one no result.

Asked to bat first, Strikers got off to a slow start and lost key wickets, including Tammy Beaumont and Laura Wolvaardt, to slip to 33 for 3 in the eighth over. Tahlia McGrath and Bridget Patterson tried to build a partnership, but their 35-run association lasted five overs as Silver-Holmes dismissed the Strikers captain for 21.

Strikers were 92 for 6 in the 15th over before they got a late lift thanks to Amanda-Jade Wellington, who struck 33 not out off 21, with five fours in her knock.

Hurricanes began the chase positively with Wyatt-Hodge adding 33 runs with Lizelle Lee. But even as Wyatt-Hodge was trying to take the innings deep, regular wickets kept Strikers interested as Darcie Brown finished with fine figures of 4 for 16. Elyse Villani, who scored 15 off 10, was run out in the 15th over, leaving Hurricanes needing 30 to win.

McGrath, Wellington, and Sophie Ecclestone bowled tight overs as only 22 came off the next four, leaving Hurricanes needing eight in the last over. Megan Schutt bowled a dot, followed by a single, before Silver-Holmes finished it off with two fours.

Brief scores: Adelaide Strikers 134/7 in 20 overs (Amanda-Jade Wellington 33*, Bridget Patterson 24; Heather Graham 2-23) lost to Hobart Hurricanes 136/6 in 19.4 overs (Danielle Wyatt-Hodge 72*; Darcie Brown 4-16) by 4 wickets.