Fairytale Finish as Hurricanes Dethrone Scorchers and Villani Bows Out on Top
Fairytale endings in professional sport are talked about far more often than they are actually seen, which is why what unfolded on Saturday night felt so special. Under the lights at Ninja Stadium in Hobart, the Perth Scorchers were blown away as the Hobart Hurricanes claimed their first-ever WBBL title, and in the middle of it all was Elyse Villani, lifting the trophy and quietly closing the final chapter of her Big Bash career.
When Villani walked her team out onto the field, it was already known that this moment carried extra weight. There was a strong feeling, later revealed to be about 80 per cent certainty, that this could be her final appearance in the competition. By the time Nicola Carey struck the winning runs to seal an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the Scorchers, that feeling had turned into absolute clarity. The decision was made. The timing was right.
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The Scorchers, a team built on finals experience and championship pedigree, were kept well below a competitive total after early nerves from the Hurricanes were settled. A few dropped chances and misfields initially hinted at the pressure of the occasion, but calm leadership helped steady the group. The message was simple: perfection wasn’t required, presence was. That approach paid off, and once the chase began, the result felt inevitable.
For Villani, this title filled the only gap in an already glittering career. Despite previously reaching three WBBL finals with the Scorchers and the Stars and walking away empty-handed each time, this was her first Big Bash crown. It came on top of three T20 World Cups with Australia and multiple domestic titles with Tasmania, making the moment feel both earned and overdue.
Interestingly, her bat wasn’t needed on the night of the final, but her contribution throughout the season had already been made. In WBBL|11, she delivered valuable middle-order runs, often finishing unbeaten, and striking at an impressive rate. Walking away while still performing strongly was important to her, and it was also seen as a step toward ensuring the Hurricanes’ long-term future, with space now opening for younger players to grow.
The announcement of her retirement came quickly, perhaps even a little too quickly, but emotions were running high. Tears followed when the news was shared with teammates, and the weight of the moment was felt across the group.
While Villani will continue playing state cricket for Tasmania for now, the T20 chapter has officially closed. She leaves not just as a winner, but as a leader who helped guide her team past the Scorchers and into history. Sometimes, sport really does deliver the perfect ending.
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