WBBL round-up: Kapp takes hat-trick, Scorchers scorch chase

South Africa allrounder Marizanne Kapp took a hat-trick to set up a big win for the Sydney Sixers over the Melbourne Stars at Hurstville Oval. Kapp bowled Madeline Penna and Nicola Hancock before trapping Holly Ferling lbw to complete her three-in-three as she claimed overall figures of 3 for 16. There was a strong South Africa flavour to the first half of the match as Mignon du Preez (44) top-scored for the Stars while Dane van Niekerk struck with her first delivery and collected 2 for 18 in her first appearance of the season for the Sixers. The chase was completed with nearly three overs to spare as Ellyse Perry eased to an unbeaten 39.

The Adelaide Strikers dug deep to defend 113 against the Hobart Hurricanes at Allan Border Field. It came down to the Hurricanes needing five off two balls with Nicola Carey, whose 39 was the highest score of the match, on strike against Sophie Devine. Carey connected well into the leg side, but didn't quite have the distance to get over Katie Mack who took a well-judged catch near the rope. Legspinner Amanda Jade-Wellington, who received an on-ground wedding proposal last week, took two key wickets including an excellent delivery to remove Fran Wilson. In the first innings, Australia quick Tayla Vlaeminck had stood out with a rapid display as she claimed 2 for 18, but in the end Sarah Coyte's late surge to hit 24 off 13 balls where most others struggled to hit a run-a-ball proved vital.

Amy Jones and Meg Lanning almost beat their own record in a commanding opening stand against defending champions Brisbane Heat as Perth Scorchers cantered to a nine-wicket in the second game of the day at Allan Border Field. Jones (60*) and Lanning (56) added 129 for the first wicket and had looked set to earn the win themselves which would have overhauled their 144-run stand against the Adelaide Strikers last season as the record in a 10-wicket chase. Beth Mooney had led the Heat's innings with 67 off 55 balls but after Maddy Green fell at the end of the 15th over the last five overs brought just 40 runs.

Hannah Darlington pulled off a crucial final-ball catch to deny Jess Duffin who had played a terrific captain's innings of 69 which almost carried the Melbourne Renegades to victory over the Sydney Thunder at Blacktown. Duffin and Courtney Webb (32) added 88 for the fifth wicket after the Renegades had fallen to 4 for 25 chasing 133. It came down to 15 needed off the last over bowled by Rene Farrell and then four off the last with Duffin on strike but she could only loft the ball in the air towards long-off where Darlington took an excellent catch.