Villani shines in a wet encounter as the Hurricanes open their account.

Hobart Hurricanes opened their WBBL 2023 account in their third attempt, defeating Adelaide Strikers by seven wickets in a rain-affected match at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. In a game shortened to eight overs per side due to rain, the Strikers scored 74-1, which was insufficient as Elyse Villani’s unbeaten 39 off 24 balls, which included six fours, enabled the Hurricanes win in seven overs.

Katie Mack helped the Strikers get off to a good start after being asked to bat by hitting two boundaries off Molly Strano in the first over. Amy Smith and Bryony Smith did not allow any boundaries during their respective third and fourth overs. Laura Wolvaardt accelerated the innings with a six against Amy in the fifth over, while Mack hit two more fours against Heather Graham. Mack was run out in the final over after a parsimonious over from Shabnim Ismail, but a boundary from Wolvaardt off Graham helped the Strikers conclude strongly.

Elyse Villani got off to a good start in the chase, striking Anesu Mushangwe for two fours in the first over. However, Megan Schutt maintained control, allowing only four runs in the second over. Lizelle Lee, however, propelled the Hurricanes to victory with a flurry of sixes – one off Amanda-Jade Wellington and two off Georgia Adams – before being dispatched for 9-ball 21. When Villani hit three fours off Mushangwe for the Hurricanes, the equation was reduced to 37 off 24 deliveries. While Schutt dismissed Bryony, Villani scored four and ran three in the same over, bringing the total to 12 off 12. Graham was dismissed by Danielle Gibson, but Ruth Johnston completed the victory with two consecutive fours as the Hurricanes prevailed with an over to spare.