It went down to the final over but Hurricanes’ top-order problems against cost them
Sydney Sixers 5 for 126 (Shafali 57, Strano 3-19) beat Hobart Hurricanes 9 for 125 (Ghosh 46) by five wickets
Shafali’s innings was rarely convincing – she survived a marginal lbw shout early on, regularly just managed to evade the fielders and was striking under 100 at 16 overs – but she took on Tayla Vlaeminck in the 18th over which began with Sixers needing 24 off 18 deliveries.
She scooped Vlaeminck for a boundary to reach fifty off 45 deliveries then clubbed her through the leg side with one of the most authoritative shots of the innings. With Nicole Bolton also finding the rope, the over cost 15 and all-but decided the contest.
Sixers had restricted Hobart Hurricanes to 125 but stumbled at the start of the chase. Alyssa Healy was beaten for pace by Vlaeminck as she played across the line and Ashleigh Gardner charged at Strano to leave them 2 for 14.
Shafali and Ellyse Perry steadied the innings with a stand of 63 in 10 overs then, after Perry was stumped, Shafali continued to ride her luck.
Hurricanes’ batting again struggled – they have a bowling attack to make an impact this season but desperately need top-order runs – and were 3 for 26 after the Powerplay. Perry claimed two wickets and Brown one, the latter courtesy of a terrific catch at point by Radha Yadav to remove Mignon du Preez.
