Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland set up a commanding victory for Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes at Junction Oval
Melbourne Stars have dealt an early blow to the Hobart Hurricanes’ title defence, ousting the reigning champions under lights at Junction Oval by 18 runs.
Led by reappointed skipper Meg Lanning (71 off 52) — who posted her 35th WBBL half-century — and an unshackled Annabel Sutherland (57 off 26), the Stars posted 4-192 from their 20 overs to give their injury-hit opposition a lofty total to chase.
Lanning and Sutherland's 109-run partnership for the third-wicket set up the victory for the hosts, leaving Hobart requiring a record-breaking run chase at the venue for victory.
The current and former club captains made light work of Hobart's attack that all went for more than seven and a half runs per over.
Last season’s player of the final Lizelle Lee came out swinging in her nine-boundary blitz which took her to 57 from 33 rocks, but fell in unceremonious fashion when she spooned a simple catch to Lanning at short cover.
The Hurricanes came into the game already missing internationals Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt, but were dealt another blow yesterday with England spinner Linsey Smith ruled out with a quad injury.
New international recruit Chamari Athapaththu (10) only lasted eight deliveries before being castled by Kim Garth (2-36), while New Zealand replacement player Maddy Green only managed six before Dani Gibson took her first wicket.
The Stars’ international imports fared far better with Charlie Dean the pick of the bunch.
Her fiercely economical four-over spell of 1-13 proved to be pivotal.
Heather Graham (20), who removed both Lanning and Sutherland with the ball in her 150th WBBL match, didn't have a fairytale ending with the bat.
Dean’s wicket of Hurricanes vice-captain in the 15th over was perhaps the knockout punch which the visitors weren’t able to recover from.
New ‘Canes skipper Nicola Carey (32 off 25), who struggled with the ball conceding 41 runs from three overs, dug in to give her side an outside chance, but they ultimately fell short of the Stars’ class.
Sutherland mopped up the ‘Canes tail to finish with 3-34. Gibson (2-25) and Garth claimed two wickets apiece, albeit at almost nine runs per over.
Hobart finished their innings on 8-174, falling well short of the Stars' target despite the fact they entered the drinks break at 2-103 after 10 overs.
Lanning's side will travel to South Australia tomorrow in preparation for their clash against Adelaide Strikers on Saturday, while the Hurricanes will fly to New South Wales in preparation for their clash on Sunday against Sydney Sixers.