Melbourne Renegades crack maiden semi-final spot in WBBL

Melbourne Renegades Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women

Melbourne Renegades eked out a close three-run win over Hobart Hurricanes and secured a semi-final spot for the first time ever in the Women's Big Bash League. Hurricanes needed to get nine runs off the final over but Molly Strano conceded only five, paving a way for a landmark win. Heather Knight's dismissal in the 18th over by Maitlan Brown was clearly the defining moment.

Erin Fazackerley's 41-ball 52 steered the early bits of the run-chase, and Hurricanes looked on course during her 57-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana but losing wickets at crucial times hurt them. In contrast, Renegades's first-innings effort revolved around one quick-fire fourth-wicket partnership between Amy Satterthwaite and Jessica Duffin. While Satterthwaite scored 66 off 57 and was out only in the 19th over, Duffin made for early sluggishness with a 22-ball 30.