WBBL umpiring, technology in spotlight in Hobart win

Umpiring and technology use in the WBBL is again in the spotlight after a crucial stumping wasn't given out in Hobart's 24-run win over the Sydney Thunder.

Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee top-scored with 91 from 54 balls on Monday night in Launceston to set up her team's second victory from four matches this season.

However, she was given a life in the sixth over on 12 when a stumping off Thunder spinner Heather Knight was not given out by the umpires.

Replays showed Lee was short of her ground when wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson whipped off the bails. 

Lee smacked 12 fours and two sixes and was eventually out on the second-last ball of the innings as Hobart posted 3-174.

The Thunder got off to a sluggish start in reply before in-form youngster Phoebe Litchfield gave them a slim sniff with a career-best 42-ball 68. 

With Litchfield at the crease Sydney needed 39 runs heading into the second last over, which was bowled one ball short after Heather Graham sent down two wides. 

Litchfield fell in the final over as the Thunder finished on 6-150.

Cricket Australia on Monday said it is looking to introduce third-umpire technology for all WBBL games next season. 

The league introduced third umpires and the decision review system last season for the first time but only for the 24 matches televised on free-to-air.

The Hurricanes-Thunder match was streamed on various platforms but was not on free-to-air.

There have been several poor calls in the WBBL this tournament, including on Sunday when Brisbane Heat's Mignon du Preez was declared run out when she wasn't.

Earlier, Lee and fellow opener Elyse Villani (40 from 34 balls) put on 68 runs - the Hurricanes' second-highest opening stand in their history. 

Graham chipped in with a valuable 31 not out from 23 deliveries to push Hobart to their second biggest WBBL score.

The Thunder, who last season finished bottom of the table with just one win, are now 2-1 after three matches.

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