A three-run loss to the Melbourne Renegades has capped off a Hobart Hurricanes season characterised by tight losses.
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Saturday’s result saw the Hurricanes finish bottom with two wins and 12 losses for the second year running, although their net run rate of -0.364 marks a huge improvement from last season’s -1.733.
Salliann Briggs’ side lost with three or fewer balls remaining on three occasions, and twice in a super over.
After restricting the Renegades to 6-146 in St Kilda, the Hurricanes looked every chance of bucking that trend when openers Smriti Mandhana and Erin Fazackerley (52) took 49 runs off the six-over powerplay.
Mandhana and Georgia Redmayne then departed in quick succession, but Heather Knight and Fazackerley put on another 46 as the latter brought up her maiden WBBL half-century.
A succession of wickets left the visitors needing nine to win with an over to go, and spinner Molly Strano was thrown the ball.
A two, two singles and a wicket left Corinne Hall with the responsibility of hitting a four off the final ball to take the game to a super over, but the ex-skipper could only find the fielder at long-off.
The result saw Courtney Webb’s Renegades progress to finals for the first time, and ended Perth Scorchers’ hopes of taking revenge for their loss to the Sydney Sixers in last year’s final.
Earlier, Alex Hartley had been the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers, removing fellow English import Danni Wyatt for a golden duck on her way to 3-21 off four overs.
Veronica Pyke took the crucial wicket of Amy Satterthwaite, but not before the New Zealand skipper had plundered 66 off 57 balls and enjoyed a 46-run stand with Jess Duffin (30 off 22).
Tassie Tigers skipper Brooke Hepburn was the only other wicket-taker.
SCOREBOARD
- Melbourne Renegades 6-146 (Satterthwaite 66, Duffin 30, Hartley 3-21)
- Hobart Hurricanes 6-143 (Fazackerley 52, Knight 28, Mandhana 26, Tahuhu 1-18)