Melbourne Renegades 4 for 125 beat Hobart Hurricanes 121 (Wareham 3-13) by six wickets
Melbourne Renegades' Australia spin duo of new captain Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham combined to have a big impact on their opening WBBL victory over Hobart Hurricanes.
The pair took figures of 8-0-25-5 - supplemented by a wicket from Harmanpreet Kaur - to restrict Hurricanes to 121 which Renegades chased down with four balls to spare as Kaur saw them over the line.
In the first of the weekend's matches played behind closed doors due to Hobart's lockdown, Hurricanes made a promising start in the Powerplay but were set back by Wareham who was introduced in the fifth over and removed Ruth Johnston.
Wareham, who only claimed three wickets in an injury-hit tournament last season, then trapped South Africa overseas star Mignon du Preez lbw with a delivery that went straight on as the spinners took hold.
Richa Ghosh, who was dropped on 1, deposited one ball out of the ground but fell to her India T20 captain, Kaur, who had left the field early in the innings after appearing to wind herself landing awkwardly when attempting a catch.
The middle order struggled to increase the tempo with only Naomi Stalenberg making a dent on the scoreboard. Between them, Molineux and Wareham bowled 30 dot balls.
After Molineux was superbly run out by Ghosh's direct hit - throwing from flat on the outfield - the chase was set up by 58-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Courtney Webb although Webb was given a life on 7 when she was caught off a Tayla Vlaeminck no-ball.
Hurricanes got themselves back into the match late on when Belinda Vakarewa removed both set batters in the space of two balls and Eve Jones also departed as they lost 3 for 6. However, moments after surviving a close appeal for lbw Kaur swung Nicola Carey for six to ease any tension.
Sophie Molineux
Georgia Wareham
Harmanpreet Kaur
Melbourne Renegades Women
Hobart Hurricanes Women
Hurricanes W vs Renegades Wm
WBBL
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
