Melbourne Renegades were defeated by Hobart Hurricanes by eight wickets in their second straight victory. The Hurricanes’ bowlers, including Heather Graham, Molly Strano, and Nicola Carey, limited the Renegades to 101 runs.Graham continued her impressive run of success, taking three wickets in her final five matches to take 13 wickets overall. In addition, Strano reached a significant milestone by being the second player to reach 150 WBBL wickets.

Despite Renegades’ Hayley Matthews scoring 39, they only managed to score 101 runs, with Hurricanes’ bowlers dominating. In response, Hurricanes easily chased the target with 14 balls to spare. Opener Elyse Villani scored an unbeaten 46, and Nicola Carey contributed with 25 not outWith two games left, this victory put the Hurricanes up to fifth position in the standings, one point ahead of the Sydney Sixers. On the other hand, Renegades remained at the bottom of the table with just two victories.

Former Australia captain Meg Lanning is taking an indefinite break from the WBBL, just two weeks after retiring from international cricket. Lanning missed Melbourne Stars’ recent win over Brisbane Heat due to personal reasons. With only two games left and the Stars unlikely to make the finals, Lanning’s future in the sport is uncertain.

Stars coach Jonathan Batty explained, “She’s taking a few days for some personal reasons. We’re reassured she’s okay, but we’re giving her the time and space she needs. We’re taking it game by game, and she’s definitely out for the next couple.”

Young allrounder Annabel Sutherland led the Stars in Lanning’s absence as the Heat suffered a second consecutive loss. Opener Maia Bouchier top-scored for Stars with 41, while Sophie Day’s standout performance with the ball earned her the Player of the Match title.

Despite a promising start by Heat’s opener Georgia Redmayne, Day and Sutherland’s efforts secured the win for the Stars. The defeat is a setback for Heat’s chances of hosting the final as the top team in the regular seaso

Amelia Kerr, like a tempestuous force of nature, unleashed her prowess upon the WBBL, single handedly propelling the Brisbane Heat to ascend the summit of the table a majestic feat achieved amidst the stormy turmoil of having momentarily relinquished their throne to the Sydney Thunder.

Kerr, heralded as a delayed addition to the team on account of the draft, showcased her remarkable skills with the ball in her maiden appearance this season; consequently, she played a pivotal part in the pursuit of victory during the run chase. She unleashed her bowling prowess, seizing the prized scalps of none other than Heather Graham celebrity wicket to fall and Ruth Johnston like a towering oak felled by her mighty arm.

Another spinner, Charli Knott, got an early breakthrough by dismissing Lizelle Lee with her first delivery. The Hobart Hurricanes struggled and were at 44 for 5 in the 10th over. Elyse Villani’s unbeaten half-century gave them a target to defend.

The game took a turn when Grace Harris was dismissed by Molly Strano’s first ball. Shabnim Ismail removed Georgia Redmayne soon after, leaving Heat at 26 for 2. However, Kerr took control with a 38-ball half-century and built a strong partnership with Mignon du Preez before Knott helped finish the chase.

Ismail continued to impress with her bowling, delivering 13 dot balls in her four overs.

Coach Charlotte Edwards remains optimistic about the Sydney Sixers’ WBBL season, despite starting with three consecutive losses. Even though they face challenges, they believe there’s still hope. Last week, the Sixers were considered title favorites, but now they’re second to last and have a tough journey to reach the top four in the WBBL. Edwards points out that the Adelaide Strikers lost their first two games last season but managed to win the title in the end. The Sixers themselves had a tough start in the opening season back in 2015-16 but reached the final.

“We know T20 can be unpredictable,” Edwards said. “We’re not playing poorly; we’re just missing out on crucial moments. We need to improve our fielding and partnerships with the bat. The tournament is long, and we can turn things around, just like the Strikers did last year.”

The Sixers will face the Melbourne Renegades at Junction Oval on Sunday after three losses at home. They’re waiting for a clear update on Alyssa Healy’s injury and whether she can return during the WBBL. If she’s ruled out for the season, the Sixers have limited options for domestic replacements, with Hannah Trethewy drafted in as a former NSW wicketkeeper. On a positive note, 17-year-old Kate Pelle performed well on Tuesday night, taking two catches behind the stumps.

“It’s great to see someone like her thrive in this environment,” Edwards commented. “Midge [Healy] was excited to see her take those catches, and we expect more from her with the bat as well.” Ellyse Perry also showed promise with 49 runs while returning to the top of the order, and she’s expected to resume bowling next month after recovering from a knee injury.