Superb knock from Rachel Priest not enough to get Hurricanes across line in heartbreaking loss

Hobart’s Big Bash batting fragilities continue to haunt the side after another mediocre effort chasing a modest total cost it victory

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ANOTHER Big Bash campaign is slipping away for the Hobart Hurricanes after the side butchered a modest run chase against the Sydney Thunder.

Despite a superb knock from import Rachel Priest (83 not out from 64 balls), the Hurricanes fell two runs short of overhauling their 130-run target.

West Indian Hayley Matthews (14) and Nicola Carey (12) were the only other batters to reach double figures but it appeared to matter little — even when Carey was dismissed in the 14th over — with Priest in full flight and Hobart needing 37 runs at less than a run a ball.

Hannah Darlington of the Thunder celebrates victory as Rachel Priest of the Hurricanes looks dejected after defeat during the Women's Big Bash League WBBL match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Thunder at Hurstville Oval, on November 08, 2020, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

But former Cane Heather Knight, who was overlooked for a contract in favour of Priest for this year’s tournament, returned to haunt her former teammates.

Having top scored in the Thunder’s 7-129 with an unbeaten 49-ball 61, Knight took 2-12 from three overs and also held onto a great catch running back with the flight to help remove the dangerous Chloe Tryon.

From there the middle order fell apart, and with Priest unable to get back on strike at crucial times, Hobart failed to find the 11 runs required from the final over.

Priest cracked her fourth six — she also struck nine boundaries — on the fourth delivery of the last over, and when Hannah Darlington sent the next down legside for a wide the Hurricanes only needed three runs from the last two balls.

Rachel Priest of the Hurricanes bats during the Women's Big Bash League WBBL match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Thunder at Hurstville Oval, on November 08, 2020, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

But Darlington rebounded to execute a pair of perfect yorkers to close out the contest.

“She’s a really mature kid and she knows the game really well, it was the type of wicket where pace off is really effective … great for Hannah to hold her nerve at the end,” said Knight, who is the second leading run scorer behind Meg Lanning and also has the equal third most wickets.

“It showed a bit of our character, we were a bit flat in the field and we managed to pick up a wicket and throw all our eggs at the other end.

“The bowling group has been outstanding, it’s a real strength of ours.”

The result leaves the Hurricanes with a solitary victory at the halfway point of the tournament and facing an uphill task to feature in the finals.

Since reaching the semi-finals in the first two editions of the WBBL, Hobart has won just nine of 49 matches.

Former coach, popular figure Julia Price, was axed following a 2-12 campaign in WBBL|03, but the side has made little progression under her replacement Salliann Briggs.

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