Melbourne: Melbourne Stars opened their WBBL 2026-27 campaign with an 18-run win over Hobart Hurricanes in the second match of the season at Junction Oval on Thursday, defending 192/4 as captain Annabel Sutherland starred with both bat and ball.
Sent in to bat after Hobart won the toss and elected to field, the Stars were anchored by Meg Lanning, who scored 71 off 52 balls, while Sutherland smashed an unbeaten 57 off 36 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. Dani Gibson added a quick 22 off 11 balls to lift the total to 192/4. Heather Graham was the Hurricanes’ leading bowler with 2/31.
The chase stayed alive through Lizelle Lee, who struck 57 off 33 balls with six fours and three sixes. But Kim Garth removed Chamari Athapaththu for 10 before dismissing Lee, caught by Lanning, and the Hurricanes’ momentum stalled. Nicola Carey contributed 32 off 25 balls and Graham scored 20, but the Stars controlled the closing overs — Charlie Dean conceded just 13 runs in four overs for one wicket, while Sutherland claimed 3/34 to complete a Player of the Match performance.
Hobart finished on 174/8, falling 18 runs short, as the Stars joined Sydney Thunder — winners of the season opener earlier in the day — on two points at the top of the early standings.
The win was a statement of intent from a Stars side led by one of the competition’s most decorated players in Sutherland, whose unbeaten fifty and three wickets underlined why she remains central to both her franchise and Australia’s plans. For the Hurricanes, Lee’s form was the clear positive, but their middle order could not sustain the chase once she departed.
The WBBL season continues on Friday with Brisbane Heat facing Sydney Sixers, followed by Adelaide Strikers against Melbourne Stars, as the 12th edition of the tournament builds towards its December 5 final.
Read the WBBL 2026-27 season guide: https://t20star.com/wbbl-2026-27-full-schedule-squads-new-rules-and-players-to-watch-as-season-starts-october-29/
Brief scores: Melbourne Stars 192/4 (Meg Lanning 71, Annabel Sutherland 57 not out; Heather Graham 2/31) beat Hobart Hurricanes 174/8 (Lizelle Lee 57, Nicola Carey 32; Annabel Sutherland 3/34) by 18 runs.
