Rhys McKenna
Meg Lanning
Amy Jones
Annabel Sutherland
Danielle Gibson✱
Kim Garth✱
Molly Strano
Nicola Carey
Chinelle Henry
Heather Graham
Lauren Smith
Lizelle Lee
Chamari Athapaththu
Rachel Trenaman
Maddy Green
Charlie Dean
Sophie Day
Maisy Gibson
The atmosphere at Junction Oval on Thursday, 29 October, was electric as Melbourne Stars Women chased down a daunting target set by Hobart Hurricanes Women. The defining moment came in the 12th over when Meg Lanning, the former Australian captain, unleashed a blistering 71 runs off just 52 balls, turning a solid platform into a match‑winning onslaught.
Match Summary
Winning the toss, Hobart Hurricanes Women elected to bowl first, hoping the clear skies and mild 14.6 °C temperature would aid their seamers. However, the Stars' top order responded with intent. After a cautious start, Lanning and her partner built a 94‑run partnership, propelling Melbourne Stars Women to a formidable 192‑4 in 20 overs. The Hurricanes, despite a valiant fightback led by Lizelle Lee’s 57 off 33 balls, could only muster 174‑8, falling short by 18 runs.
The final scoreboard read:
- Melbourne Stars Women 192/4 (20 overs)
- Hobart Hurricanes Women 174/8 (20 overs)
The result gave the Stars three crucial points in the Womens Big Bash League 2026, while the Hurricanes remain hungry for their next win.
Key Performances
Meg Lanning (Melbourne Stars Women) – 71 runs off 52 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes. Lanning’s innings was the cornerstone, featuring a masterful mix of aggression and composure. Her strike‑rate of 136.5 kept the scoreboard ticking and demoralised the Hurricanes’ bowlers.
Chinelle Henry (Melbourne Stars Women) – 1/25 in 3 overs. Henry’s disciplined spell early on restricted the Hurricanes to 45/2, setting the tone for the Stars’ chase.
Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes Women) – 57 runs off 33 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes. Lee’s cameo kept the Hurricanes within touching distance, but lacked support from the middle order.
Rachel Trenaman (Hobart Hurricanes Women) – 24 runs off 17 balls, a quick cameo that added momentum after Lee’s dismissal.
Bowling highlights for the Hurricanes included Kim Garth (2/36 in 4 overs), Charlie Dean (1/13 in 4 overs) and Annabel Sutherland (3/34 in 4 overs). Dean’s economical spell was a bright spot, but the Stars’ firepower proved too much.
Turning Points
The first major shift occurred in the 9th over when Lanning struck two consecutive boundaries, accelerating the run rate from 6.5 to over 8 runs per over. This surge forced the Hurricanes to rethink their field placements, but the damage was already done.
A second decisive moment came in the 15th over of the chase. With the Stars at 130/2, Lanning hit a six and a four off consecutive balls, pushing the required run rate down dramatically and putting the Hurricanes on the back foot.
In the Hurricanes’ innings, the partnership between Lee and Trenaman seemed poised to chase down the target. However, a crucial wicket in the 17th over – Lee caught at deep mid‑wicket – broke the momentum, and the Stars’ bowlers capitalised, picking up quick wickets to seal the game.
Series Implications
This victory moves Melbourne Stars Women up the WBBL 2026 ladder, strengthening their bid for a playoff spot. The win also underscores the value of experienced campaigners like Lanning, whose ability to dominate under pressure is a hallmark of championship teams.
For Hobart Hurricanes Women, the loss highlights a need for deeper batting depth beyond Lee and Trenaman. Their bowlers performed admirably, especially Dean’s 1/13, but the lack of consistent run‑scoring will be a focal point in upcoming training sessions.
Both sides will look ahead to their next fixtures. The Stars aim to maintain momentum, while the Hurricanes will regroup, hoping to convert today’s lessons into wins in the remaining matches of the Womens Big Bash League 2026.
Fans searching for the Melbourne Stars Women T20 score or Hobart Hurricanes Women cricket today will find the full live updates and post‑match analysis on our site, alongside detailed statistics for every player.