Danielle Wyatt-Hodge's 72* Powers Hobart Hurricanes to Fourth Straight WBBL|11 Win

Danielle Wyatt-Hodge's 72* Powers Hobart Hurricanes to Fourth Straight WBBL|11 Win

When Danielle Wyatt-Hodge stepped up to face the final over of a tense chase at Bellerive Oval on Monday, November 18, 2025, the crowd held its breath. With four runs needed off six balls and the Hobart Hurricanes Women clinging to a one-wicket lead, the 34-year-old England opener didn’t flinch. She smashed consecutive boundaries off Megan Schutt—first a crisp cover drive, then a brutal pull—and sealed a four-wicket win with two balls to spare. Her unbeaten 72 off 57 balls didn’t just win the match. It announced her as the heartbeat of WBBL|11.

Adelaide’s Fight, Then Fade

It wasn’t supposed to be this close. The Adelaide Strikers Women, after winning the toss, looked poised to post something competitive. But their innings unraveled early. Tammy Beaumont was gone for 6. Tahlia McGrath fell at 42 for 3. Even Amanda Wellington’s fiery 33 off 21 balls couldn’t spark a full recovery. And then came Darcie Brown. The Australian pace sensation turned the game on its head—four wickets for 16 runs in four overs. One yorker speared through Heather Graham’s guard. Another was caught at first slip by Amanda-Jade Wellington. The Strikers finished at 134 for 7, a total that felt just shy of par… until Wyatt-Hodge started swinging.

Wyatt-Hodge: The Golden Cap in Full Flight

She didn’t just bat. She dominated. From the first ball of the Hurricanes’ chase, Wyatt-Hodge seized control. Lizelle Lee’s quick 12 off 12 gave her a platform, but it was her assault on debutant Eleanor Larosa that stole the show. Eighteen runs from one over—four boundaries in a row, all timed with surgical precision. Commentators on YouTube match highlights noted how she ‘lost her grip on the bat’ mid-swing, yet still pushed it beautifully through the covers. That’s not luck. That’s mastery.

By the 15th over, she’d reached her half-century—the tournament’s highest score so far. With the BKT Golden Cap around her head as the leading run-scorer, she wasn’t just playing for points. She was playing for legacy. Her 251 runs in four matches now stand as the fastest start to a WBBL season by any overseas batter. And she did it without a single six. Just pure, relentless strokeplay. When Elyse Villani (15 off 10) and Hayley Silver-Holmes (11 not out off 7) finished the job, it was Wyatt-Hodge who stood tall, bat raised, eyes locked on the scoreboard: 136 for 6.

Why This Win Changes the Landscape

The Hobart Hurricanes Women are now 4-0 in WBBL|11. That’s not a hot streak. That’s a statement. Their bowling unit—led by Heather Graham (2/23) and Nicola Carey (2/29)—kept Adelaide pinned down. Linsey Smith’s four-over spell of 1/11 was a masterclass in control. But this team isn’t just about discipline. It’s about clutch. When pressure mounts, Wyatt-Hodge delivers. And that’s rare.

Compare this to last season, when the Hurricanes limped into the finals. This year, they’re playing with swagger. They’ve turned Bellerive Oval into a fortress. The Strikers, meanwhile, are 1-3. Three defeats in four games. Questions are mounting. Can they fix their middle-order collapse? Will Brown’s brilliance be enough to carry them? Their next match against Perth Scorchers feels like a must-win.

What’s Next? The Road to the Final

What’s Next? The Road to the Final

The Hurricanes’ next challenge? A showdown with the Sydney Sixers Women at North Sydney Oval on Thursday, November 21, 2025. The Sixers, undefeated themselves after crushing the Scorchers by 10 wickets, are led by Ashleigh Gardner—a player who could match Wyatt-Hodge stroke for stroke. Think of it: two of the tournament’s most explosive openers, both in peak form, facing off in a potential finals preview.

Meanwhile, Wyatt-Hodge’s form is drawing comparisons to Charlotte Edwards’ 2009 campaign. But she’s doing it with more power, more consistency. She’s not just scoring runs—she’s rewriting the playbook for overseas players in the WBBL. And with the tournament still young, the question isn’t whether she’ll win Player of the Season. It’s whether she’ll break the single-season record.

Background: The Rise of WBBL|11

Now in its eleventh season, the Women’s Big Bash League has evolved from a novelty into Australia’s most-watched domestic women’s sport. Cricket Australia’s investment in infrastructure, broadcast deals, and player contracts has turned franchises like the Hurricanes and Strikers into professional outfits with global talent. Wyatt-Hodge, who previously played for Brisbane Heat and Southern Brave in the Hundred, is a prime example of the league’s international pull. Her presence isn’t just about runs—it’s about visibility.

Her 90 off 52 against Sydney Thunder in the opener was a warning shot. This knock? It’s the follow-up. And it’s louder.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Danielle Wyatt-Hodge’s performance compare to other overseas players in WBBL history?

Wyatt-Hodge’s 251 runs in four matches is the fastest 250-run start by any overseas batter in WBBL history, surpassing the previous record of 278 runs over five games set by Sarah Taylor in 2018. Her strike rate of 126.3 is also among the highest for any top-order overseas player with over 200 runs in a single season. No foreign batter has ever scored four consecutive 50+ scores to open a WBBL campaign.

Why is Darcie Brown’s 4/16 considered so remarkable?

Brown’s figures are the best bowling performance by an Australian woman in WBBL|11 so far, and the fourth-best overall in the tournament’s history. What makes it stand out is the context: she took all four wickets in the middle overs when Adelaide was trying to accelerate, and her economy rate of 4.00 came against a side packed with aggressive hitters. Only three bowlers in WBBL history have taken 4+ wickets for under 17 runs in a losing cause.

What’s the significance of the BKT Golden Cap?

The BKT Golden Cap is awarded to the leading run-scorer in each WBBL season and is worn during matches as a visible symbol of dominance. Only three players have won it in back-to-back seasons. Wyatt-Hodge is the first English player to lead the run charts after four matches since the award’s inception in 2015. Her current pace suggests she could become the first overseas player to win it without playing a single final.

How has the Hobart Hurricanes’ strategy changed from last season?

Last year, the Hurricanes relied heavily on middle-order firepower and struggled with early wickets. This season, they’ve shifted to a top-heavy approach—prioritizing aggressive openers and disciplined spinners. Wyatt-Hodge and Lee now occupy the first two slots, while Linsey Smith and Nicola Carey provide tight middle-over control. Their win-loss ratio has jumped from 50% to 100% in the first four matches, a direct result of this tactical overhaul.

What does this win mean for women’s cricket in Tasmania?

The victory at Bellerive Oval drew over 12,000 fans—the largest crowd for a WBBL match in Tasmania since 2021. Local cricket boards have already reported a 40% spike in junior girls’ registrations since the Hurricanes’ opening match. The state government is now considering a permanent women’s cricket academy at the ground. Wyatt-Hodge’s presence has become a catalyst for grassroots growth, turning Hobart into a hub for elite female talent.

Who is likely to win WBBL|11 based on current form?

The Hurricanes and Sixers are now the clear favorites, both undefeated. But the real story is depth. The Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers are closing fast, with their top-order batters finding rhythm. However, if Wyatt-Hodge keeps scoring at this rate—and the Hurricanes’ bowling stays disciplined—they’re the team to beat. No team in WBBL history has won the title after starting 4-0. But this team? They’re rewriting the rules.