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Melbourne Stars delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat table-toppers Hobart Hurricanes by 37 runs in a crucial encounter at Junction Oval on Wednesday. The emphatic win not only handed the Hurricanes their second straight loss but also propelled the Stars to second place in the standings, tightening the race for the top two spots as the tournament crosses its halfway mark.
Amy Jones anchors Melbourne Stars’ total of 151/6
After Hobart elected to bowl, the Stars suffered early hiccups before England wicketkeeper-batter steadied the innings with a masterful half-century. Walking in during a tense passage of play, Jones showcased flawless timing and composure, striking 59 off 40 balls with six fours and a six.
Her controlled knock helped rebuild momentum, especially after the Stars lost key wickets in the powerplay.
Jones found excellent support from Danielle Gibson, who arrived at the crease with the score at 91/4 in the 14th over. The duo combined for a quickfire 44-run partnership, taking the attack to the Hurricanes bowlers and shifting the pressure back on the fielding side.
Gibson’s aggressive 39 off 27 deliveries provided the perfect finishing kick, lifting the Stars to a competitive 151/6.
For the Hurricanes, Nicola Carey was the standout bowler, taking 2/29, including two middle-over breakthroughs that momentarily slowed the Stars’ surge.
Marizanne Kapp and Sophie Day sink Hobart Hurricanes
Chasing 152, Hobart’s innings crumbled early under the weight of Marizanne Kapp’s fiery new-ball burst. The South African speedster struck with her first ball of the innings, knocking over dangerous opener Lizelle Lee. She returned shortly after to dismiss Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, putting the Hurricanes on the back foot at 16/2.
Kapp then showcased her athleticism in the field, taking a sharp catch to send back Nicola Carey, further derailing Hobart’s chase at 59/6.
Captain Elyse Villani and Hayley Silver-Holmes attempted to rebuild with a spirited 40-run seventh-wicket stand, briefly sparking hopes of a turnaround. But the Stars’ bowling unit remained relentless.
Left-arm spinner Sophie Day was the standout performer, running through the lower order with a brilliant spell of 4/17, her drift and accuracy proving too much for the Hurricanes tail.
Stars skipper Annabel Sutherland also played a key role, dismissing Villani at a pivotal moment to seal Hobart’s fate. The with 22 balls left, falling well short of the target.
Brilliant bowling performance from Melbourne Stars 🔥
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
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Player of the Match
Amy Jones’ match-winning half-century – her first WBBL fifty since 2022 – earned her the Player of the Match award. Her calm stabilizing presence and late acceleration laid the foundation for the Stars’ total, while Gibson’s power hitting and disciplined bowling from Kapp, Day and Sutherland ensured a comprehensive victory.
5️⃣0️⃣ up for Amy Jones ✨
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
With their third straight win, the Stars have surged into title contention and head confidently into the Melbourne derby. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes, who started the season with five successive victories, now face mounting pressure to arrest their slide as competitors close in on the top-two positions.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
