Lizelle Lee's 77* takes Hobart Hurricanes to first WBBL win
Two-fors from Heather Graham and Linsey Smith restricted Perth to 137, which Hurricanes chased down with eight wickets to spare
Two-fors from Heather Graham and Linsey Smith restricted Perth to 137, which Hurricanes chased down with eight wickets to spare
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Andrew McGlashan
Hobart Hurricanes win by eight wickets in one of the most dominant finals performances you could wish to see. The club now has the W/BBL double. Both first-time titles. The players were already charging onto the field the moment that ball was struck. The win was set up by Hurricanes' attack, then Lizelle Lee iced the chase with a brutal innings. Perth Scorchers were never at the races today, perhaps a long week caught up with them.
"I don't have the words," says Elyse Villani. "Magical, a fairytale. It means everything...it's just bloody awesome, to be honest." I'll bring you the presentations shortly.
Lizelle Lee is player of the final. "The bowling has been incredible this whole season...just glad to back it up. I'm trying to have fun."
Sophie Devine "Huge congratulations [to Hobart]...the crowd certainly gave us hell. Full congratulations, you absolutely outplayed us. Today wasn't our day, there has to be a loser and that was us today but what we've been able to achieve this season is something we should be really proud of."
Elyse Villani (highlights of her speech). "I actually have two versions of this speech. But I was hoping that I'd only have to read this one out. I just thought it was best to be prepared as it's our first final and it's a huge occasion for our organisation no matter what happens tonight. So I'm glad to be reading this one. I'd like to congratulate...the whole Scorchers organisation. We've watched you fight all season long, you've played some incredible cricket and congratulations on making it to the final...the Cane Train as we're affectionately known, it has many carriages and it's a pretty long train when you think about it. We've got our sponsors, we've got the board, our families, supporters, our fans and our high performance staff and players bringing up the rear. The final carriages aren't possible without all the carriages that come before. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you everyone for your support...Thank you for firstly building and then believing and backing this squad in. We've dared to dream and I couldn't be happier to say we've actually bloody done it. We've made it to Disneyland, we've gone all the way. To our entire group, all 16 players and support staff who have been a part of this journey. I'm so incredibly proud of this group and I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your work and sacrifice, plying into what it means to be a Hurricane. And that's what I'm most proud of when it comes to this team. The genuine love and care that everyone has and has shown one another has helped us get to where we are. And I can't bloody wait to celebrate tonight. Choo-choo baby!"
Speaking separately to Channel 7 after the presentations, Elyse Villani has announced her retirement from the WBBL. "The timing could be better," she says.
On that note, I'll wrap things up for tonight. We'll have more reaction to the final, and Villani's call, later tonight and tomorrow. For now, from Gnasher, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.
The Hurricanes captain announced her retirement from the competition after securing the club's first title
Two-fors from Heather Graham and Linsey Smith restricted Perth to 137, which Hurricanes chased down with eight wickets to spare
The hosts were the standout side in the regular season but have not played a full game since December 1