THE Hobart Hurricanes picked up a crucial third win of the season, downing the Melbourne Stars by six wickets.

Melbourne batted first and made 8/142, before the Hurricanes made the target with four balls to spare.

The Stars’ batting innings could not have gotten off to a much worse start, falling to 1/0 and then 2/5 inside the first two overs of the game.

Things did not really improve from there for the visitors.

Meg Lanning and Sophia Dunkley did put on a 75 run partnership for the fifth wicket, but it was the only decent partnership of the Stars’ entire innings.

Lanning was also the only one to make a decent score for the Stars, making 75. Dunkley was the next highest with 17, but apart from those two only two other batters made a double figure score.

On the other side of the equation Shabnim Ismail was the pick of the bowlers for the Hurricanes, picking up three wickets. Molly Strano and Maisy Gibson each picked up two wickets, while Heather Graham picked up one.

The Hurricanes also took a while to get into their batting innings. At 4/74 after 12 overs, the home side really need a spark.

Enter Nicola Carey and Naomi Stalenberg, who put on a 69 run partnership to get their side over the line just in time.

Carey was ultimately joint top scorer, making 41 not out after Elyse Villani had earlier also made 41.

Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the Stars’ bowlers with two wickets to her name. Sophie Day and Sasha Moloney were the other wicket takers for the Stars, taking one each.

The Hurricanes are back in action against the Heat on Saturday, while the Stars are also in action on Saturday, heading home to take on the Thunder.