If you’re a fan of women’s cricket, you’ll want to circle your calendar for this one. This Wednesday, the Melbourne Stars are coming home to the CitiPower Centre to face the formidable, table-topping Hobart Hurricanes. The Stars are riding a wave of momentum after two big away wins, and they’ll be desperate to get that first victory on home soil in WBBL|11. It's not just a team battle; it's a clash of titans with individual brilliance on full display.
Key Highlights
- ✓ It's a top-of-the-table clash with the Hobart Hurricanes (1st) taking on the Melbourne Stars (3rd).
- ✓ Meg Lanning leads the league with 301 runs after a stunning 135-run knock against the Sixers.
- ✓ The race for the Weber WBBL Golden Bat is on fire, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge just 12 runs behind Lanning.
- ✓ Heather Graham is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps so far for the Hurricanes.
- ✓ The Stars are coming off a record-breaking 111-run (DLS) win where they bowled the Sixers out for just 42.
Lanning's Masterclass and a Demolition Job
You simply cannot talk about the Melbourne Stars right now without starting with Meg Lanning. What she did to the Sydney Sixers was nothing short of breathtaking. She smashed an imperious 135 from just 74 balls, an innings that included a staggering 26 boundaries—the most ever in a WBBL innings. It was a masterclass in power hitting and pure class that powered the Stars to 219, the third-highest total in the tournament's history.
Lanning didn't do it alone, though. She and Rhys McKenna put on a massive 159-run opening stand, with McKenna contributing a fantastic 50 off 34 balls. But the real drama unfolded in the second innings. With a mountain to climb, the Sixers were completely dismantled by a ferocious Stars bowling attack. Kim Garth produced one of the most unbelievable spells you'll ever see, finishing with figures of 4 for 3.
Garth removed Sophia Dunkley and Alyssa Healy with her first two balls, then got Ellyse Perry with the first ball of her next over. The Sixers were left reeling at 21 for 4 before rain intervened. When play resumed, they collapsed to be all out for a mere 42 runs. It was an absolutely brutal, statement-making performance that has sent the Stars' net run rate skyrocketing to +3.269 and put the entire league on notice.
The Relentless Hurricanes Machine
While the Stars are grabbing headlines with their explosive wins, the Hobart Hurricanes have been a model of consistency. They sit deservedly at the top of the table with five wins from six games, having started the season with a perfect five-game winning streak. They are a well-oiled machine that just knows how to win cricket matches, even when things get tricky.
Their recent rain-affected victory over the Melbourne Renegades was a perfect example of their composure. The Renegades posted 155, but after rain delays, the Hurricanes were set a revised target of 106. Despite losing the in-form Lizelle Lee early and Nat Sciver-Brunt for a duck, they never panicked. Nicola Carey stepped up with a crucial 39 off 29 balls to keep them ahead of the rate.
And then there's Heather Graham. She’s been the standout bowler of the tournament, leading the pack with 14 wickets. Against the Renegades, she produced a miserly spell, finishing with 3 for 23 to restrict the total. She even pitched in with the bat, showing just how deep and versatile this Hurricanes squad is. They have threats all over the park, making them an incredibly tough team to beat.
A Duel for the Golden Bat
As if the team battle wasn't exciting enough, we have a phenomenal individual rivalry brewing. The race for the Weber WBBL Golden Bat is heating up, and the two main contenders will be facing off in this very match. Meg Lanning, after her massive hundred, currently sits at the top of the run-scoring charts with an incredible 301 runs from just five matches.
But hot on her heels is the Hurricanes' own superstar, Danni Wyatt-Hodge. She is just 12 runs behind Lanning, making this a direct head-to-head battle for batting supremacy. Both players are explosive openers who have the ability to take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs. The player who performs better on Wednesday could not only win the match for their team but also walk away with the coveted golden cap.
The Junction Oval Pitch and Past Encounters
The game will be played at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, a ground that typically favors batters and offers great conditions for stroke-making. However, there's a little twist. With some rain around the venue, the surface might play a bit slower than usual. This means batters will need to be a little more cautious, while disciplined bowlers could find some assistance if they hit the right areas.
History also adds an interesting layer to this contest. In 21 T20 meetings between these two sides, the Hurricanes have had the upper hand, winning 13 matches compared to the Stars' 7. While past records don't win current games, that historical dominance is something the Hurricanes will carry with them, while the Stars will be fired up to turn the tables on their home turf.
Conclusion
So, what’s the bottom line? We have a classic matchup on our hands. The Melbourne Stars are coming in with an unchanged squad, brimming with confidence after a historic win, led by a captain in superhuman form. They are eager to get that crucial first home win to solidify their spot in the top tier of the WBBL ladder. On the other side, the Hobart Hurricanes are the proven leaders, a dominant force looking to extend their reign at the top.
This match has all the ingredients for a classic: explosive batting, world-class bowling, and a personal duel for the Golden Bat between two of the best in the game. It’s a contest between red-hot momentum and proven consistency. One thing is for sure—it’s going to be an absolute thriller at the Junction Oval.
