Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland deliver as Melbourne Stars hold off the Hobart Hurricanes
Annabel Sutherland’s decision to hand back the captaincy has paid immediate dividends, with Meg Lanning starring as the Stars toppled the defending WBBL champions.
Annabel Sutherland’s decision to hand the captaincy back to Meg Lanning could be the difference maker for the Stars this year after the pair dominated on Thursday to knock off the defending champions.
Hobart looked on track for a record run chase with Lizelle Lee at the crease, but her departure for 57 in the power surge halted their momentum as they fell 18 runs short.
It was always going to be a challenge trying to reel in Melbourne’s mammoth total of 4/192 after Lanning and Sutherland combined for a 109-run partnership for the third wicket.
Sutherland relinquished the captaincy heading into the tournament and it worked a treat in their opening game as Lanning showed off her incredible skills to top score with 71.
She brought up her half-century with back-to-back boundaries before Sutherland outdid her with a towering six to reach her milestone off 34 deliveries.
Sutherland was eventually dismissed for 57 off 36 with the pair both trapped in front by Heather Graham in the same over.
PURPLE REIGN
They may have fallen short in Melbourne, but the Hurricanes are going to go close to defending their title if they play like this every game.
They always looked in control of the chase, especially with Lee at the crease who brought up her 50 off 29 deliveries.
The big-hitting opener whacked three sixes but picked out Lanning on 57 to open the door for Melbourne to hold on.
Hobart still seemed destined to win with Graham and Nicola Carey finding the boundary with ease.
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But a steady flow of wickets stalled momentum with Charlie Dean proving the hero with the ball.
Dean finished with the frugal figures of 1-13 from her four overs and picked up the huge wicket of Graham just when the Hurricanes were ready to put the foot down.
It was fitting that Sutherland (3-34) sealed the deal with a couple of scalps in the penultimate over, including an outstanding piece of work from Amy Jones behind the stumps to whip the bails off.
Originally published as Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland deliver as Melbourne Stars hold off the Hobart Hurricanes
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