WATCH: Sophie Ecclestone traps Lizelle Lee in her web of spin at WBBL|12

Sophie Ecclestone produced a moment of brilliance with the ball during the 17th match of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026, as Hobart Hurricanes faced Adelaide Strikers at Bellerive Oval. The England left-arm spinner showcased her ability to deceive batters with flight and accuracy, leaving South African opener Lizelle Lee completely beaten during the contest.

The dismissal came at a crucial stage of the Hurricanes’ innings, with the Strikers looking to make early inroads after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Their decision proved effective as the Hurricanes found themselves in trouble early, losing two wickets for just 31 runs inside the first five overs.

Sophie Ecclestone outfoxes Lizelle Lee with clever delivery

The breakthrough was provided by Ecclestone, who used her variations to get the better of an experienced campaigner in Lee. Bowling in the fourth over of the innings, Ecclestone tossed the ball up and invited the South African batter to go for an attacking stroke. Lee stepped into the opportunity and attempted to execute a sweep shot, hoping to put the spinner under pressure.

However, the delivery turned out to be too good for the opener. Lee failed to make any contact with the ball as it sneaked past her bat and struck her on the pads. The Strikers immediately erupted into a loud appeal, with the bowler and her teammates convinced that they had their batter trapped in front of the stumps. The on-field umpire shared their assessment and raised the finger without much hesitation. Lee had to walk back after failing to read Ecclestone’s delivery, giving Adelaide an important early breakthrough.

Here’s the video:

Sophie Ecclestone strikes and sends Lizelle Lee packing 🧳 #WBBL12 pic.twitter.com/Eerq2W2Wye

— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 10, 2026

Also READ: WBBL|12: Sophie Devine powers Perth Scorchers to dominant win against Melbourne Stars

Hobart Hurricanes endure difficult start to WBBL|12 campaign

Meanwhile, both teams entered the contest looking to improve their respective positions in the WBBL|12 standings. However, their campaigns have been far from ideal, with neither side managing to establish consistency during the opening stages of the competition. Adelaide Strikers had collected just one victory from their first three matches before the fixture. Sitting sixth in the standings, the side needed a strong performance against Hobart to improve its position and build some momentum.

The Hurricanes, on the other hand, were under considerably more pressure. They had endured a disappointing beginning to their campaign, losing all four of their previous matches. Consequently, they were still searching for their first points of the season. Playing at home provided Hobart with an opportunity to turn things around, but Ecclestone and the Strikers’ bowling attack had other plans.

With the early dismissal of Lee, Adelaide had already made a statement about their intentions. Ecclestone’s ability to extract mistakes from experienced batters could prove particularly important as the contest progresses, especially with the Strikers desperate to climb up the standings.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.