Hurricanes were only defending 125 but in the end were comfortable winners, easing to victory by 19 runs against a Thunder side that never got going in their reply on a tacky surface at Blacktown
Blacktown: Hobart Hurricanes 125-5, Sydney Thunder 106-9 - Hobart Hurricanes win by 19 runs
Hobart Hurricanes successfully squeezed Sydney Thunder to begin their Women's Big Bash campaign with a win after a busy off-season.
Hurricanes were only defending 125 but in the end were comfortable winners, easing to victory by 19 runs against a Thunder side that never got going in their reply on a tacky surface at Blacktown.
Only seven players in the game reached double figures and Mignon du Preez top-scored with 33 as even Elyse Villani, with such an exceptional record in the competition, struggled to three off 11 balls on her Hobart debut after moving from Melbourne Stars.
But du Preez's contribution and that of compatriot Lizelle Lee, who made 25, became more valuable as the match wore on. Rachel Trenaman, 21, made 31 batting at No.3; she was one of two wickets for Chloe Tryon.
Lea Tahuhu, signed up late on by Thunder as a replacement for both Amy Jones until the England wicketkeeper arrives and for Hannah Darlington until the Australia seamer recovers from injury, bowled two wicketless overs.
Hurricanes, though, have perhaps the most potent bowling attack this tournament has seen, with Molly Strano, Heather Graham and Nicola Carey three of the six bowlers in WBBL history to have taken more than 100 wickets.
Molly Strano took three wickets for Hobart Hurricanes (Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
They shared eight wickets to prevent Sydney from ever building any momentum once Tammy Beaumont fell at the end of the third over.
Thunder progressed to 41 for 1 but lost Phoebe Litchfield to a marginal lbw decision, which precipitated a collapse that saw the innings subside dramatically to 106 for 9 at the end of their 20 overs.
The dismissals of Anike Learoyd and Rachael Haynes within six balls of one another kept Hobart on top, a position of dominance that they never let slip thereafter.
From 83 for 4, they lost four wickets for 12 runs inside three overs to kill any chances of a late charge at a total that ought not to have been out of reach.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.