Sports

Renegades Secure First WBBL|12 Win After Lee’s No‑Ball Decision Ends Hurricanes’ Super Over Bid

By Nitesh Dubey

The Melbourne Renegades clinched a dramatic four‑wicket victory over the Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) on Wednesday, with a rare wicket‑keeping infringement on the final ball denying the hosts a chance to force a Super Over. The Renegades were chasing 155 and needed one run from the last delivery when Deandra Dottin failed to hit Nicola Carey’s ball. Lizelle Lee collected the ball behind the stumps, but the third umpire, after reviewing television footage, ruled that Lee had been in front of the stumps. Under Law 27.3, a wicketkeeper must remain wholly behind the striker’s wicket until the ball touches the batter or their bat, passes the wicket, or the batter attempts a run; any breach results in a no‑ball. The no‑ball awarded the Renegades the extra run they needed to win without a Super Over.

The finish was further complicated by a late over‑rate penalty. The Hurricanes were penalised for not completing their 20 overs within the allotted time and were allowed only two fielders outside the 30‑yard circle for the final three deliveries. After a dot ball, Dottin edged the penultimate ball to the deep third boundary, which, with the boundary rider unavailable due to the restriction, went for four and brought the scores level at 154. Dottin then missed the final ball, and Lee’s infringement sealed the Renegades’ victory.

Hobart Hurricanes had posted 154/7 in their 20 overs, with captain Nicola Carey scoring 62 off 43 deliveries in her 150th WBBL appearance. West Indian all‑rounder Chinelle Henry added 36 off 18 balls before hobbled off after bowling one over that cost 14 runs, reportedly due to a suspected hip injury.

Melbourne Renegades’ captain Sophie Molineux took 4/22, bringing her career WBBL tally to 101 wickets and becoming only the second player in franchise history to reach the 100‑wicket milestone, after Molly Strano. Hayley Matthews scored 59 off 44 balls and Courtney Webb added 29 off 25, giving the Renegades a solid start. The Renegades collapsed, losing five wickets for 37 runs after reaching 101, but used the Power Surge to keep the chase alive. They eventually crossed the line, giving the Renegades their first win of the WBBL|12 campaign, while the Hurricanes remain winless after three matches and sit at the bottom of the standings.