Ecclestone’s last-ball four sinks Hobart as Adelaide Strikers win WBBL thriller.
Table of Contents
Adelaide Strikers win thriller
The Adelaide Strikers claimed their second win of the season after defeating the Hobart Hurricanes in a nail-biting Women’s Big Bash League final on Tuesday night.
Chasing 139 at a chilly Bellerive Oval, Adelaide needed four runs from the final ball of the match. Sophie Ecclestone hit a six over mid-off to win the match for her side.
Match Report
The win gives the Strikers their second win of the season while the defending champions have suffered their fifth straight defeat.
Laura Wolvaardt was caught to leave Adelaide needing 10 runs from the final five balls of the match. However, Ecclestone hit two boundaries in the final moments. The second came off the final ball.
Hobart’s heartbreaking season
The Hurricanes have now lost the last ball of the match for the second time in a short space of time. Earlier in the season, they lost to the Melbourne Renegades in a controversial finish. A technical fielding error by wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee resulted in a no-ball, meaning Hobart couldn’t face a super over.
The pressure showed on Tuesday. The Hurricanes were seen running their hands through a bucket of sand on the bench. They were trying to put their finger down in the sand to start fresh. Unfortunately, they ended the night with the same result.
How the Match Played Out
Hobart Innings: 138/5
- Nicola Carey (captain) – She played a captain’s innings to help her side, scoring an unbeaten 66 and passing her 2000 WBBL career runs.
- Lizelle Lee – The opener was dropped on 10 and did not make the most of the opportunity. She was caught lbw by Ecclestone.
- Rachel Trenaman – Her poor season continued as she was caught and bowled off 9.
- Chamari Athapaththu – The opener was out retired after a difficult time finding her timing, scoring just 10 off 26 balls. This was the 3rd time someone has retired in this league this week and shows a growing trend.
Adelaide Chase
- Emma de Broughe – Emma top-scored for the 41 and, along with Maia Bouchier, provided a solid start for the Strikers.
- Middle overs – Hobart fought back and removed Tahlia McGrath and Maddie Penna, keeping the game very tight.
- Result – Two late boundaries from Ecclestone won the game.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Result | Adelaide Strikers won by 4 wickets |
| Venue | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
| Hobart total | 138/5 |
| Adelaide target | 139 |
| Winning moment | Four off the last ball by Sophie Ecclestone |
| Top scorer (Hobart) | Nicola Carey, 66* |
| Top scorer (Adelaide) | Emma de Broughe, 41 |
| Carey’s milestone | 2,000+ career WBBL runs |
| Strikers’ season | 2 wins |
| Hurricanes’ streak | 5 consecutive defeats |
Key Takeaways
- Hobart lack depth in their batting. Carey made 66, and without much support, 138 was always going to be a low score.
- Retiring out is becoming a strategy. Athapaththu was the third to retire in a week. It seems like teams are becoming more comfortable with taking out a stuck batter and bringing in a fresh hitter. This didn’t help Hobart.
- Small mistakes can cost you games. They have had a couple of dropped catches and no-balls in their recent losses. In these games, it can come down to one mistake.
- Adelaide built up some momentum. They have now kept their campaign alive with this win and have shown they can cope with a chase in pressure situations.
- Hobart are unlikely to make the playoffs. They are still mathematically able to make the top 4 but will likely have to win all of their remaining 5 matches.
What’s Next
Hobart Hurricanes: They have 5 must-win games coming up. Their main focus will be to try and break the losing streak and build confidence. They will need more support for Carey at the crease.
Adelaide Strikers: Now that they have secured their second win, they will want to build on Ecclestone’s composure in late chases to reach the top 4.
FAQ
Who won the Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes match?
The Adelaide Strikers won by four wickets, chasing 139 and finishing on the last ball.
Who hit the winning runs?
Sophie Ecclestone, with a boundary over mid-off off Molly Strano. Adelaide needed four from the final delivery.
Who was the top performer for Hobart?
Captain Nicola Carey, who scored an unbeaten 66 and passed 2,000 career WBBL runs.
Can the Hobart Hurricanes still make the top four?
Yes, mathematically, but they will likely need to win all five of their remaining matches.
How many games in a row have the Hurricanes lost?
Five consecutive defeats, including a controversial last-ball loss to the Melbourne Renegades days earlier.
Why did Chamari Athapaththu retire out?
She was struggling for timing, with 10 off 26 balls, and chose to end her innings. It was the third such retirement in the league in a week.
Fast scores, major news, and zero fluff. Everything you need to stay ahead of the game.