Renegades made to work hard for finals' spot in close win over Hurricanes

The Melbourne Renegades took on the Hobart Hurricanes to try and claim the last spot for the knockouts. While the Hurricanes made it difficult for them, the Renegades snuck home with a narrow three-run win.

Batting first, the Renegades got off to a less-than-ideal start, with their leading runscorer, Danni Wyatt being dismissed for a first ball duck. Skipper Amy Satterthwaite then joined Sophie Molineux at the crease. The two put on a 55-run partnership to frustrate the Hurricane bowlers. The breakthrough finally came when, on 18, Molineux was run out, caught short of the crease after hesitating on taking a run Satterthwaite had called. The third wicket fell for the Renegades just two runs later, following which Jess Duffin replaced Emma Inglis.

Duffin combined with her skipper for a further 46-run stand, before departing for 30 off 22. Satterthwaite, who had been anchoring the innings for her side, finally fell for 66 off 57 deliveries, off the last ball of the 19th over. The Renegades finished their innings on a competitive 146-6.

Alex Hartley was the pick of the bowlers for the Hurricanes, taking 3-21. Veronica Pyke and Brooke Hepburn took a wicket each, as well.

Chasing, Smriti Mandhana and Erin Fazackerly got their team off to a solid start, with their 57-run opening stand. Mandhana was dismissed for a run-a-ball 26. Fazackerly though, continued motoring, supported by Heather Knight on the other end. While Knight played a more sedate innings, just rotating the strike, Fazackerly smashed her way to 52 off 41. On her way there, she was dropped off the bowling of Georgia Wareham. Fortunately for the Renegades, it did not cost much, with Lea Tahuhu dismantling the stumps in the following over.

Heather Knight (28) and Pyke fell soon afterwards, as the Hurricanes brought the occasion to nine required of the last ball. Skipper Sasha Moloney and Corinne Hall were at the crease, and Molly Strano was to bowl it. After a single off the first delivery, the next was a dot. The following one another single, before the Hurricanes snuck through for a double.  Moloney was dismissed the next ball and, though five runs were required off the last ball, Hall could only manage a single. Strano bowled well to concede just five runs off the over, as the Renegades sealed a thrilling three-run and their spot in the finals'.

All the bowlers contributed for the Renegades, with Strano, Tahuhu, Molineux, Wareham, and Maitlan Brown claiming a scalp each. Tahuhu though, was extremely miserly as well, going for just 18 runs off her four overs. She did however, injure herself in the field, and was limping, which will be a concern for her side. The Renegades will be celebrating this win, led by Satterthwaite, who earned the Player-of-the-Match honours for her knock of 66 off 57.

The Renegades, having cemented their spot in the finals, now become the first Melbourne team to reach there. They join Sydney Thunder, Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat in the top four.