The Hobart Hurricanes have launched their Big Bash League title defence in heart-stopping fashion, clinching a tense four-wicket victory over the Sydney Thunder with just one ball to spare at Ninja Stadium on Tuesday night.
Chase Hangs in the Balance Until Final Delivery
Chasing the Thunder's competitive total of 6-180, the Hurricanes' innings was a rollercoaster built on powerful cameos. Nikhil Chaudhary (41 from 31), Ben McDermott (38 from 24), and Mitchell Owen (32 from 14) provided the early fireworks to set a strong platform. However, a cluster of wickets left the game precariously poised, requiring a cool finish from the lower order.
The experienced Matthew Wade (25 from 16) fell in the penultimate over, leaving Hobart needing four runs from the final six deliveries. Thunder quick Daniel Sams then began the last over with a disastrous front-foot no-ball that sailed full to the wicketkeeper. The drama intensified as Sams bowled three consecutive dot balls, including a bouncer to Nathan Ellis that replays showed was clearly over head height and should have been called a wide.
Despite the controversy, Nathan Ellis held his nerve to hit the winning runs with a straight drive, finishing the job alongside Chris Jordan, whose crucial unbeaten 16 proved invaluable.
Costly Fielding Blunder Proves Decisive
The Thunder's fielding performance came under fierce scrutiny, with one glaring error early in the Hurricanes' chase having massive repercussions. With Hobart on 0-16, Chaudhary skied a top edge that should have been a straightforward catch. Instead, fielders Ollie Davies and Tanveer Sangha froze, watching the ball drop harmlessly between them.
Commentator and cricket legend Ricky Ponting was unequivocal in his assessment, placing blame squarely on Davies. "Sorry Ollie Davies, that is poor outfielding," Ponting stated. "That's your catch every day of the week... He's gotta take the responsibility there to call Sangha out of that."
At the time of the drop, Chaudhary was on just one run. He capitalised fully on the reprieve, adding another 40 vital runs to his score and shaping the match's outcome.
Thunder's Innings and Injury Concerns
Earlier, after losing the bat flip and being sent in to bat, the Sydney Thunder's innings was anchored by Cameron Bancroft's well-constructed 61 from 44 balls. Pakistani import Shadab Khan (34 from 24) and Daniel Sams (23 not out from 11) provided late acceleration after the Hurricanes bowlers applied pressure in the middle overs.
The Thunder were without veteran opener David Warner, who missed the match with a back injury but is expected to be available for their clash with the Sydney Sixers on Saturday. Sydney may also have a fitness concern with young batter Sam Konstas, who did not take the field after being struck on the arm by a Riley Meredith delivery during his innings of 28 from 25 balls.
For the Hurricanes, Billy Stanlake was the pick of the bowlers with 3-34, including the key wickets of Bancroft and Konstas. Chris Jordan (2-36) struck twice in the 10th over, while Bangladeshi spinner Rishad Hossain was economical in his franchise debut, conceding just 18 runs from his three overs.
Reflecting on the win, Hurricanes quick Billy Stanlake acknowledged the room for improvement. "We could have probably run it down a little earlier," he said. "(But) there was always full confidence in the boys. You're never going to play perfect cricket first game. To get the win ... it's a nice start."
