The Perth Scorchers have squandered a golden chance to solidify their WBBL finals position, suffering a disappointing seven-wicket defeat against the Hobart Hurricanes at Ninja Stadium on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Mooney's Milestone In Vain
In her 150th WBBL appearance, Beth Mooney delivered a stellar performance, top-scoring with 75 runs from 55 deliveries. Her innings anchored the Scorchers, who posted a competitive total of 5-186 after being sent in to bat.
The Scorchers' innings began disastrously, losing two wickets in the powerplay. Katie Mack was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball, and Maddy Darke followed just five balls later, both falling to catches off Molly Strano's bowling.
This early collapse prompted a swift reunion at the crease for Mooney and captain Sophie Devine, who had been restored to her regular No.4 position. The pair stabilised the innings with a 66-run partnership before Devine departed for a brisk 28 from 24 balls.
Later contributions from English imports Freya Kemp (34 from 22 balls) and Paige Scholfield (26 not out from 13 balls) provided valuable late impetus, though Mooney was run out on the final delivery of the innings while searching for an extra run.
English Duo Dominate Chase
The Hobart Hurricanes' response was spearheaded by a dominant 135-run second-wicket partnership between English internationals Nat Sciver-Brunt and Dani Wyatt-Hodge.
Despite an early breakthrough that saw Lizelle Lee caught brilliantly by Mooney off Sophie Devine's bowling for 14, the Scorchers struggled to contain the flow of runs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt proved particularly destructive, hammering 81 runs and bringing up her half-century with a six during the power surge. Dani Wyatt-Hodge provided excellent support with 55 runs of her own.
The Scorchers' bowling changes failed to disrupt the partnership, with the English pair taking 14 runs from Amy Edgar's first over and continuing to score freely against spin duo Alana King and Lilly Mills.
Finals Implications
This loss leaves the Perth Scorchers clinging to fourth position on the WBBL ladder, just one win ahead of the fifth-placed Sydney Sixers.
The situation appears precarious for the Scorchers, as the Sydney Sixers have played two fewer games and would likely finish above Perth if both teams ended the season with the same number of victories. This is due to the Sixers sharing points from their washed-out contest with Brisbane Heat on Friday.
After the crucial partnership was finally broken - with Sciver-Brunt stumped off King in the 16th over and Wyatt-Hodge bowled by Mills soon after - Hurricanes veterans Nicola Carey and Elyse Villani (both finishing 12 not out) guided their team home comfortably.
Elyse Villani sealed the victory in emphatic style, thumping the first ball of the final over back down the ground for six, securing the win with five balls to spare and dealing a significant blow to the Scorchers' finals aspirations.
