The Hobart Hurricanes have fallen short in their opening match of their WBBL|12 title defence, suffering an 18-run defeat to the Melbourne Stars at Junction Oval on Thursday night.
Despite a blistering half-century from Lizelle Lee and a spirited run chase which remained alive deep into the innings, the Hurricanes were unable to reel in the Stars' imposing total of 4-192, finishing at 8-174.
In a contest featuring four Hurricanes club debutants and a significant milestone for experienced all-rounder Heather Graham, the visitors showed plenty of fight but were ultimately left to rue several missed opportunities.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Hobart made an encouraging start through West Indian recruit Chinelle Henry, who removed Rhys McKenna (13) in her first appearance in purple.
However, former national captain Meg Lanning (71 from 52 balls) and Australian star Annabel Sutherland (57 from 36) took control of proceedings, combining for a 109-run third-wicket partnership which threatened to put the game beyond Hobart's reach.
Playing her 150th WBBL match – having represented the Perth Scorchers on 100 occasions before adding another 50 appearances with the Hurricanes – Graham produced a timely double-wicket over during the Stars’ Power Surge.
The experienced all-rounder removed both Lanning and Sutherland in the 18th over, finishing with impressive figures of 2-31 and helping restrict the Stars to 192 after a total beyond 200 was on the cards.
Faced with the prospect of pulling off the highest successful run chase in WBBL history, the Hurricanes responded in emphatic fashion through Lee, who blasted six boundaries and three sixes in a sparkling 57 from just 33 deliveries.
The South African combined with Rachel Trenaman (24 from 17) to keep the scoreboard ticking, with Hobart racing to 2-103 at the halfway mark and appearing well placed to launch an assault on the target.
However, Lee’s dismissal from the first delivery she faced in Hobart's Power Surge after the drinks break proved a decisive turning point, with the explosive opener caught at cover off Kim Garth.
New captain Nicola Carey (32 from 25) and Graham (20 from 15) kept the Hurricanes in the hunt, with the asking rate remaining within reach heading into the final four overs.
But the Stars tightened their grip through some disciplined bowling, with Charlie Dean conceding just 13 runs from her four overs while Sutherland (3-34) and Garth (2-36) claimed crucial wickets to ensure Hobart's chase ultimately lost momentum.
Along with Henry, the match marked the Hurricanes debuts of Sri Lankan superstar Chamari Athapaththu, late injury replacement New Zealand international Maddy Green and promising 17-year-old Victorian Ira Aery.
The Hurricanes will now look to bounce back when they face the Sydney Sixers on Sunday in their second match of the tournament.