Lizelle Lee smashes 150*, achieves new WBBL record for highest individual score

Former South African opener Lizelle Lee created history in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) with a phenomenal knock of 150* against the Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Hobart Hurricanes star's innings not only set a new feat for the highest individual score in WBBL history but also guided her team to a comfortable 72-run victory.

Ahead of the massive innings, Lee was struggling with the bat as she had managed to score just 71 runs in five WBBL innings this season, with a highest score of 38.

"It's one of those days, I won't say everything came off the middle because it didn't, but things just went my way. Coming through a little dip like that, having the support of the group and family was incredible," Lee said after the game in the post-match interview.

The 32-year-old began her assault after early hiccups when the Hurricanes lost two quick wickets to Chloe Ainsworth, placing them at 16/2 in the third over. Following the dismissals, Lee stitched two crucial partnerships. Her stand of 114 runs with Elyse Villani took the time out of the crisis, with Villani contributing just 14 runs off 19 balls. Lee then partnered up for an unbroken 73-run partnership with Heather Graham to push the Hurricanes to a formidable 203-3.

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Hobart Hurricanes Women won the game by 72 runs

Lee's innings included a rapid 51-ball century, including 12 boundaries and 12 sixes, accounting for 73% of her team's total. Her tally of 12 sixes set a new world record, surpassing Grace Harris's previous WBBL record when she scored 136 not out last season. Lee's innings is the fifth-highest score in all women's T20 cricket and the highest in a Full Member nation.

Despite being dropped on 63 at backward point, Lee showed no signs of slowing down. She particularly targeted bowler Ebony Hoskin, beginning her six-hitting spree with consecutive maximums in the fourth over and broke the record with back-to-back sixes off the same bowler in the final over.

The Scorchers' chase never gained momentum, with Sophie Devine falling off the first ball and Chloe Piparo running out in the opening over. They eventually were bundled out for 131, giving a comfortable win for the Hurricanes.