50 for Smriti but Hurricanes miss out

Smriti Mandhana made a stunning half-century for Hobart Hurricanes but it wasn’t enough to prevent her side from falling to the narrowest of defeats against Adelaide Strikers.

Hurricanes captain Sasha Maloney won the toss and elected to field.

Sophie Devine then inspired the Strikers to a total of 189 for five. The New Zealander smashed her way to 99 not out from just 53 balls in an innings that included 10 fours and four sixes.

The Hurricanes reply started strongly and Smriti put the Adelaide bowlers to the sword on the way to 52 from just 25 balls. When she eventually fell, her side were 65 for three after 5.4 overs.

Georgia Redmayne picked up where Smriti finished and helped herself to 54 not out from 37 balls but as wickets fell around her the run rate fell and the Hurricanes finished on 189 for eight from their 20 overs.

With the scores tied, the match went to a one-over eliminator.

Smriti hit the first ball of the Super Over for six but Heather Knight was run out from the second ball. The Hurricanes eventually made 12 for one from their six balls.

In reply, Devine needed only three balls to see the Strikers to victory. She smashed the first two balls for six and then hit a four from the third ball.