CANES SHORT IN THRILLER

HOBART had to wait 11 matches into the WBBL season to finally get onto its home turf but the return to Blundstone Arena didn’t help the side’s slim finals aspirations.

Any chance the Hurricanes had of conjuring a miracle to scrape into the top four was crushed by ladder leaders Brisbane Heat, who continued their charge towards the minor premiership with a seven-run win.

The high-flying Heat amassed 9-156 after being sent in, building their solid total on an even spread of contributions. Hobart started well enough with the ball with opening bowlers Belinda Vakarewa (3-17) and Tayla Vlaeminck (2-35) both striking in the first three overs, only for Jess Jonassen (29 from 20 balls) to rebuild some momentum into the innings.

She took a particular liking to England captain Heather Knight (who conceded 34 runs from her three overs), but when Maisy Gibson struck twice in three balls to remove both Maddy Green and Jonassen the Heat had slipped to 4-58 in the 10th over.

Grace Harris (43 from 27) wasted little time in upping the ante, combining with sister Laura for a 40-run stand and then Amelia Kerr to add another 36 off just 16 balls.

Vakarewa limited the damage with a superb final over, where she took two wickets in the last four balls and had a run out on another to keep the target in check.

Erin Fazackerley got the run chase off to a flying start, launching the Hurricanes to 0-52 from their powerplay with a 20-ball 35.

This included 20 runs from the fourth over sent down by Jonassen — where she cleared the mid wicket fence twice in consecutive deliveries — before being caught behind.

Knight was then run out three balls later courtesy of a rocket return from the boundary from Georgia Prestwidge, and when Nicola Carey was well caught by Beth Mooney Hobart had lost 3-7 in 15 balls.

Through the carnage Fran Wilson (32 from 36) held firm as wickets tumbled around her, but her departure left the Hurricanes needing 53 from the last five overs.

Chloe Tyron (21 from 12) kept the match alive by taking 15 runs from the penultimate over to leave 17 required from the last, but Delissa Kimmince held her nerve to secure Brisbane’s seventh straight win.

Hobart will meet the Adelaide Strikers tonight.