Renegades work hard to beat stubborn Hurricanes

The Hobart Hurricanes made it hard work for the Melbourne Renegades at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong. The Renegades looked to be coasting to victory thanks to an explosive start from their opening batters as they chased 116.

Sasha Moloney the Hurricanes captain won the toss and chose to bat. It looked a good decision when Erin Fazackely scored two fours in the first over. The second of those fours was a big edge off Lea Tahuhu; the next ball Amy Satterthwaite moved wider at slip and the catch was taken.

On a drop-in pitch that was on the slow side, the Hurricanes batters found timing difficult. Along with Tahuhu, the Renegades had Sophie Molineux and Molly Strano bowling tight lines. They were able to string dot balls together and it helped account for the wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Heather Knight.

Wickets fell in clusters as at the halfway stage the Hurricanes were 5 for 52. It was again down to Mikayla Hinckley and Corrine Hall to rescue the Hurricanes. Hall was the player that would stay to the end. The Hurricanes needed to turn ones into two. Hall  was keen to do this but run out Rhiann O’Donnell without facing a ball.

Hall finished unbeaten on 37 from 30 balls as the Hurricanes finished 8 for 115. It was never going to be enough but at least they gave themselves something to defend as at one stage it looked as if they were going to be bowled out short of their allotted overs.

Sophie Molineux who had taken 2 for 22 got the Renegades off to the perfect start. Her innings would only last five balls but she had scored 20 by then. He took advantage of O’Donnell not finding the right line.

With 23 coming from the first over it game the Renegades some breathing space to work with. Danni Wyatt was also looking in confident mood with a run a ball 14.

Satterthwaite, like she has done so often before then, took the dominant role with the bat. The New Zealand and Renegades captain made sure that the game was secure with 28 from 35 balls. Things started to wobble for the Renegades when Satterthwaite tried to smash Moloney back over her head.

Moloney would finish with figures of 3 for 20. The boundaries had dried up like they did in the Hurricanes overs and the pressure was now on the Renegades. Courtney Webb who has played for Tasmania was not going to this game slip finishing not out for 19.