Jones Shines, Kapp Dominates as Stars Beat Hurricanes Ahead of Her Departure
The Melbourne Stars continued their impressive surge in the WBBL with a commanding 37-run win over the Hobart Hurricanes at Junction Oval on Thursday, but the victory also underscored the major gap Marizanne Kapp will leave when she departs for international duties after Saturday’s derby.
The win — the Stars’ third in a row — lifted them to second on the ladder ahead of a blockbuster home clash against cross-town rivals the Melbourne Renegades.
Kapp’s Impact Felt Before Her Exit
While Amy Jones claimed Player of the Match honours for her fluent 59, it was Kapp who set the tone early with a blistering opening spell. The South African allrounder bowled Lizelle Lee with the first ball of the Hurricanes’ chase, removed Danni Wyatt-Hodge in her third over, and pulled off a spectacular catch to dismiss Nicola Carey.
Saturday’s derby will be Kapp’s final appearance before rejoining the South African national team — a departure the Stars are bracing for.
“Obviously Kappy is going to be a massive loss — it seems like she’s playing her best cricket now that she’s leaving us, which is a bit frustrating,” teammate Kim Garth said. “But I feel like we do have the depth to cover it.”
Garth admitted the Stars were wary of Lee’s firepower. “We did a lot of planning for her and when Kappy comes in and knocks her over first ball, it’s quite nice.”
Stars Steady After Slow Start
After the Hurricanes won the toss, the Stars’ innings stalled briefly before Jones and Danielle Gibson revived the momentum. Their fifth-wicket stand of 44 turned the tide, taking the hosts to a competitive 6 for 151.
Jones’ 40-ball 59 included six fours and a six, while Gibson hammered 39 off 27. Carey was the standout bowler for the Hurricanes with 2 for 29.
Hurricanes Lose Grip on Top Spot
Once the Hurricanes’ reply sank to 6 for 59, the match looked gone. A fighting 40-run partnership between Elyse Villani (38 off 21) and Hayley Silver-Holmes (18 off 14) briefly lifted hopes, but Sophie Day and Annabel Sutherland shut the door.
Day finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 17, including the crucial wicket of Silver-Holmes, while Sutherland removed Villani and ended with two wickets. Kapp capped her influential outing with 2 for 29.
The Hurricanes, after starting the season with five straight wins, have now lost two in a row and could surrender top spot to one of the Melbourne sides this weekend.
The Renegades meet Perth on Thursday before gearing up for Saturday’s high-stakes derby — one that will be the Stars’ final chance to capitalise on Kapp’s match-winning presence.