WBBL 2025: Lizelle Lee leads Hobart Hurricanes to first title with dominant win over Perth Scorchers

Hurricanes finished top of the table to reach their first WBBL final directly, and victory here means Melbourne Stars are the only side yet to win the competition since it began in 2015.

The hosts displayed some nerves early on against the 2021 champions, with Mooney dropped three times in the first three overs, albeit all off tough chances.

However, the leading runscorer in this year’s tournament was unable to punish Hobart. With scoring stalling, Mooney backed away to try and hit Heather Graham down the ground and was bowled for 33 off 26 balls.

After Smith removed England team-mate Freya Kemp for 10, Scorchers captain Sophie Devine made 34 off 29 before she was lured down the track and stumped off Graham.

England’s Paige Scholfield struck an unbeaten 27 off 22 late on but Scorchers’ total looked well below par.

Lee and England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge affirmed that was the case as they raced to 49-0 off just five overs in reply.

Wyatt-Hodge was bowled by Amy Edgar two balls later, but wicketkeeper Lee flicked the switch and started dispatching the bowlers to all parts of the ground.

She brought up a 32-ball fifty with a mighty flat six over mid-wicket, following it up with a four down the ground and a sublime lofted drive over extra cover for six.

Sciver-Brunt picking out mid-wicket proved a mere consolation wicket, with Carey settling a one-sided final in the next over.

“Full congratulations to the Hurricanes, they absolutely outplayed us,” said New Zealand skipper Devine.

It is the second WBBL in a row to be won by a maiden champion after Melbourne Renegades picked up their first title last year.