A stunning century from Lizelle Lee powered Hobart Hurricanes to a 28-run victory over Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL. Lee, who had already set a record with a 150 not out earlier in the week, followed it up with another explosive performance, scoring 103 off 59 balls. This made her the first player in WBBL history to score consecutive centuries. Her innings featured 13 fours and four sixes, propelling the Hurricanes to a formidable total of 191/2.
Lee’s blistering knock came after a couple of early scares. Anesu Mushangwe dropped Lee twice when she was in the 20s, and Lee capitalized on the missed chances. She reached her half-century off just 35 balls and brought up her century in the 14th over with a boundary. Lee was then run out in the next over at the non-striker’s end. Over the past two games, Lee has amassed 253 runs off 134 balls, with 25 fours and 16 sixes, and equaled Alyssa Healy’s record for most WBBL centuries.
Nicola Carey contributed a steady 64 not out from 46 balls, while captain Elyse Villani added a quick-fire 23 not out to finish off the innings. Smriti Mandhana gave the Strikers a strong start, but after her dismissal in the eighth over, their chase faltered. Young legspinner Amy Smith, with figures of 1/16 from four overs, helped slow the Strikers’ progress. Despite an unbeaten 63 from Laura Wolvaardt, the Strikers could only reach 163/3, leaving the Hurricanes victorious and sitting at the top of the ladder with three games remaining before the finals.
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