Phoebe Litchfield has guided the Sydney Thunder to the brink of the WBBL grand final, steering her team to a thrilling six-wicket victory over Hobart at Drummoyne Oval. The Thunder were chasing 127 for victory in the knockout final when they found themselves in a tight spot, needing 26 runs from the final three overs.
Enter Litchfield and Anika Learoyd, who delivered for the Thunder with six balls to spare. The duo took 16 runs off the 18th over bowled by Heather Graham, before Litchfield smashed Nicola Carey for a six off the first ball of the next over. The 21-year-old was eventually bowled while attempting to scoop Carey and finish the game, but by the time she departed for 46, the game was virtually sealed.
Litchfield controlled the chase with composure, twice relieving the pressure by driving Hobart’s bowlers to the boundary. She hit five fours in her 36-ball innings, while Hobart lamented a crucial missed stumping chance when Litchfield was on 23 and the Thunder still needed 42 to win. Learoyd contributed with an unbeaten 23 from 24, and Chamari Athapaththu scored 31 at the top after also taking two wickets.
The win sets up a clash with Brisbane in Friday night’s Challenger, with the victor to face the Melbourne Renegades in Sunday’s final at the MCG. Earlier, Elyse Villani’s unbeaten 49 gave the Hurricanes a slim hope of victory after they had slumped to 4-47 from their first 10 overs. Athapaththu’s 2-24 with the ball was pivotal, dismissing Carey for one and having Graham caught cutting for 10. Litchfield also took two sharp catches, while Taneale Peschel claimed the key wicket of Lizelle Lee for 23.
Despite Molly Strano’s 1-8 from four overs and Amy Smith’s 1-17 from three threatening to stifle the Thunder, Litchfield ultimately proved too strong after being given a second chance.
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