Teen hero stars as Canes stun top-seated Renegades

The Hobart Hurricanes have demolished finals favourites Melbourne Renegades by 52 runs, bowling out the ladder leadings for just 109, with two overs to spare, in a shock WBBL|07 upset.

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Teenage Hurricanes allrounder Ruth Johnston notched her highest WBBL score  of 63 then took 2-17, as the Hurricanes bowled out the Renegades, thanks to economical displays from Sasha Moloney (3-17) and Tayla Vlaeminck (2-23).

The stand-alone light with the bat for the Renegades was fast bowler Ellie Falconer, who piled on a late 24 not out, including three sixes.

The Hurricanes elected to bat, but it took no time for the Renegades to flex their muscles, with Sophie Molineux removing Hurricanes captain Rachel Priest for a two-ball duck in the opening over.

Despite their rocky start, Johnston and Mignon du Preez piled on Hobart’s best powerplay score of WBBL|07, reaching their fifty-run partnership in the sixth over.

The pair’s partnership continued strongly, breaking through the Renegades’ field, as 18-year-old Johnston’s maiden WBBL half-century came just after drinks. Du Preez struck her third WBBL|07 half-century just two overs later.

Errant fielding and bowling from the Renegades saw them miss opportunities to remove the duo, who piled on another seven boundaries after drinks, for a 120-run partnership off 89 deliveries.

Falconer was removed from the attack after bowling two head-high no-balls, but some joy came for the Renegades when they removed du Preez (50 off 46), before Johnston (63 off 46) fell one ball later.

Richa Ghosh (7 off 8) and Naomi Stalenberg (21 off 11) were next to fall for the Hurricanes, as the Renegades bowlers, led by Kaur’s (2-28), slowed the Canes’ run rate, with Hobart finishing 5-161.

Renegades opener Jemimah Rodrigues settled early, but her opening partner Eve Jones was removed for just two, off Vlaeminck’s economical early bowling.

Courtney Webb came to Rodrigues brief aid, but was bowled by Nicola Carey, making just 14 off 11, and Rodrigues (19) was next to fall off Molly Strano.

The Hurricanes bowling domination continued, with Kaur (9 off 15) caught behind off Johnston, then Molineux departed for one, seven balls later. Josie Dooley was the next Renegades victim, followed by a run out of Carly Leeson four balls later.

Falconer’s late heroics were not enough to help the Renegades to victory, despite her three boundaries, with Ella Hayward the final wicket to fall as they registered just their third loss of the season, while the Hurricanes claimed their fourth win of their WBBL|07 campaign.

The Renegades face off against the Heat on Saturday in their last game before the finals, while the Hurricanes see out their season against the Thunder.