Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers – Bellerive Oval, Hobart
An inventive 21-ball 32 from Mathilda Carmichael gave Sydney Sixers a much-needed three-wicket win in a last-ball finish against Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart on Monday (November 13).
Chasing an under-par total of 139 on a sluggish surface, Sixers needed 10 off the final over against Molly Strano but Carmichael pumped the first ball for four and then milked singles with Kate Peterson who nervelessly scored the winning run off the final delivery to get her side home.
The chase didn’t seem like it would go down to the wire after Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner had given a brisk beginning through their cameos. But with the surface having a two-paced nature to it, Hurricanes hung on with disciplined bowling and also managed to chip away at the wickets. The 13th over of the innings from Amy Smith was a game-breaker as she got rid of Erin Burns and the well-set Gardner to dent the Sixers’ innings. The 16th over saw another double strike with Heather Graham doing the damage as she took out Chloe Tryon and Kate Pelle. All of a sudden, the score read 107/7 with 33 still needed off the final 24 deliveries.
Hurricanes looked on course to pocket the two points but Carmichael came to the Sixers’ rescue with a calculative knock under pressure. She also had her share of luck as she took the Hurricanes’ bowlers by surprise. She had a calm partner in Peterson as the duo got the job done.
The hosts would rue their batting performance as they were clearly about 15-20 runs short of a par total. A riveting fifty from Lizelle Lee had given them the platform while Graham also looked solid during their stay at the crease. However, the Sixers were brilliant at the back end, giving away just 31 runs off the last 36 balls that included two power surge overs. Maitlan Brown and Lauren Cheatle starred with the ball while the others chipped in with useful spells.
Brief scores: Hobart Hurricanes 139/8 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 50, Heather Graham 36; Maitlan Brown 2-20, Lauren Cheatler 2-23) lost to Sydney Sixers 140/7 in 20 overs (Mathilda Carmichael 32*, Ellyse Perry 24; Heather Graham 3-18, Amy Smith 3-20) by three wickets
