THE Melbourne Stars were simply too good for the Hobart Hurricanes, while the Strikers and Renegades fought out a close game to give the ‘Gades another win.

Yastika Bhati gives her side the ideal start against Hobart

Batting first, the Hobart Hurricanes scored 136 off their 20 overs. It was veteran all-rounder Nicola Carey‘s 44 off 43 deliveries along with South African international Chloe Tryon‘s 35 off 33 that helped them to that total.

Outside of those two, there was not much of a contribution from the other batters and that, coupled with the slow run rate of all batters, probably cost them a defendable total.

In the second half, Yastika Bhatia hit 57 runs from 46 balls, which included seven fours and a six, to truly set their chase in motion. She was accompanied in the runs by first drop batter Meg Lanning (27 off 21) and their captain Annabel Sutherland‘s unbeaten knock (26 off 20).

Stars all-rounder Marizanne Kapp (2-28) also contributed with 15 not out off 11 balls, along with the crucial wickets of Lizelle Lee and Tabatha Saville, while Kim Garth (2-21 off three overs) also bowled strongly.

Strikers lose their third game in heartbreaking circumstances after Molineux heroics

The story of the day was the heroic performance by Renegades skipper Sophie Molineux, who singlehandedly pulled her side over the line against the Strikers.

Hitting a quickfire 64 off just 32 balls, Molineux was in sensational touch, giving the Adelaide bowlers headaches with her boundary-hitting. Her innings, which is now the third fastes half-ton in the competition’s history, included nine fours and three sixes.

Coming in when her side was in deep trouble, the Renegades had made just 3-29 at the end of the powerplay.

After she was bowled by Jemma Barsby, it was Nicole Faltum (11 not out off 11) that hit the winning runs off the final ball, when her team needed two to win and one for a super over.

In the first innings, it was Tahlia McGrath (64 not out off 44) who gave her side a chance after another shaky team batting performance. They made 157 for Melbourne to chase.

Molineux was one of the best bowlers for Melbourne with two wickets, while conceding 39 runs (Katie Mack and Orla Prendergast), while Wareham was better, taking 1-13.