Adelaide Strikers 140 for 7 (Penna 60, Smith 3-18, Bryce 2-32) won Hobart Hurricanes 102 (Villani 44, McGrath 4-13, Schutt 2-14, Anesu Mushangwe 2-18) by 38 runs
Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee entered the match with scores of 150 not out and 103. But she was trapped behind for just eight in the second over when she attempted to bowl Orla Prendergast.
However, they were on their way to victory at 63 for 1 in the ninth over, but a nine-wicket collapse for 39 runs spelled the end for them. The result left the third-ranked Hurricanes with a 4-4 record with just two games left in the final.
The Forwards (2-6) remain last, but the defending champions were happy after finally snapping their five-game losing streak.
“It’s been a long time coming and it’s so nice that we were able to get a win,” Penna said. fox sports. “Doing it at home in front of our fans is really nice. We have really loyal fans here. Sometimes when you’re losing you don’t have those people backing you. But we know our fans here in Adelaide are behind us on whether we’re winning or losing. It’s really good that we were able to get them a win.”
McGrath was also excited about the win. “It’s been a really tough season,” he said. “We haven’t lived up to our standard, and cricket is a brutal game when you’re not at your level.
“We’re still trying to get something out of this season. Sometimes it’s very difficult, but it’s easy to smile when you have games like that.”
The forwards were in all sorts of trouble at 45 for 4 after eight overs when Penna headed to the crease. Things were still precariously placed at 109 for 6 in the 16th over when Penna fell for 44. He was given another life, with the same score, and he made the most of it by guiding Strikers to the full 20 overs.
Penna’s innings, which included six fours and two sixes, only came to an end when he ran out off the last ball.
