Hobart thrown a surprise decision
BACK-TO-BACK LOSSES HAS THE HURRICANES
Rachel Priest
THE HOBART Hurricanes are not letting a contentious umpiring decision in Sunday’s loss to the Sixers get them down as they move their attention to their next encounter with the winless Melbourne Stars on Tuesday afternoon.
Heading into Sunday’s encounter with the Sixers the Canes were looking to even their win loss ledger but could not overcome a balanced bowling attack from the Sixers and a 57-run knock from Indian Shafali Verma.
While the match came down to the final over it was a delivery in the third over of the Sixers innings that raised eyebrows and had the team in purple scratching their heads.
After the Canes posted 9-125 their task to withhold a Sixers chase down was dealt a crucial blow when a Taylor Vlaeminck delivery in the third over struck Shafali Verma’s pad in front of leg stump and was given not out.
The Indian star was allowed to continue her innings despite subsequent replays revealing a clear LBW, which left the Canes – and even the commentators on the coverage – perplexed by the decision not to dismiss Verma.
It proved to be a vital moment in the match with Verma’s 57 runs (off 50 balls) the difference in the Sixers five-wicket victory.
Hurricanes captain Rachel Priest said it had been a tough weekend for her side but was reserving judgment on Verma’s non-dismissal.
“I haven’t seen the replay yet but a few people have told me it was pretty close,” Priest said.
“Unfortunately sometimes decisions go your way and sometimes they don’t but the umpires have a tough job.
“I think a few things didn’t go our way this weekend but that’s cricket … we’ll look to bounce back next game against the Stars.”
Along with Verma the Sixers had a strong contribution from superstar Ellyse Perry, who knocked up 27 off 33 deliveries and found her radar with the ball for figures of 2-9 off two overs.
While Priest was disappointed in the result she had already turned her attention to her side’s batting problems as the Canes prepare for the game on Tuesday against the Stars.
“We’ve had two really close games which on one hand is a positive but on the other we realise we aren’t scoring enough runs and our batting is letting us down so
A few things didn’t that’s go our way but cricket
moving on that’s going to be a key focus.
“I think in both games we were probably 20 runs short and with the amount of batting talent in this competition you can’t afford that so we’ll have chats with the batting group and see where we can improve.”
The Canes were led by Richa Ghosh (46 off 46) and Sash Moloney (22 off 16) with the bat and by star recruit Molly Strano (3-19) with the ball and, while they are yet to taste victory in the competition, Priest was confident the side could turn its fortunes around.
“We are fairly happy with how our bowling has been going so we want to continue with that but the focus will be on our batting as we look to put a complete performance together,” she said.
“We believe if we can lift that side of our game then we can be very competitive in this competition.”
The Hurricanes’ campaign for redemption starts at 1.25pm on Tuesday at Blundstone Arena when they take on the Stars.