Lee’s rare wicketkeeping error costs Hobart Hurricanes (Images: X)
Under Law 27.3, a wicketkeeper must remain wholly behind the striker’s wicket until the ball touches the batter or their bat, passes the wicket, or the batter attempts a run. Just when the Hurricanes appeared to have rescued a thrilling contest, Lizelle Lee ‘s positioning behind the stumps turned the game on its head, handing the Renegades a victory through a no-ball decision at Bellerive Oval. Any breach of this provision results in a no-ball being called. The decision awarded the Renegades the additional run they needed to seal a four-wicket win without a Super Over.
Melbourne Renegades pulled off a dramatic four-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) on Wednesday, with a rare wicketkeeping infringement on the final delivery denying the hosts a chance to force a Super Over.
Earlier, Hobart Hurricanes posted 154/7 in their 20 overs, with captain Nicola Carey leading the charge in her 150th WBBL appearance. Carey struck 62 off 43 deliveries, providing stability to an innings that saw the Hurricanes lose wickets at regular intervals.
Renegades captain Sophie Molineux led the bowling attack with figures of 4/22, taking her career WBBL tally to 101 wickets. She became only the second player in the franchise’s history to reach the 100-wicket milestone, after Molly Strano. With 33 runs required from the final four overs, the Renegades used the Power Surge to keep the chase alive.
Despite the late setbacks, they eventually crossed the line in one of the most unusual finishes of the tournament.