HOBART Hurricanes’ finals pursuit remains alive in BBL|13 after defeating Melbourne Renegades by six wickets at Marvel Stadium last night. The travelling side snapped a 10-game losing streak on the mainland, while also moving to within a game of the top four in the process.

Having won the bat flip and elected to bowl, Hobart restricted the hosts to 4-147, but it took a flurry of power hitting from imports Sam Hain (51 off 36) and Corey Anderson (41* off 35) to get the chase over the line. In the end, it was rather comfortable with six wickets and eight balls left in the bank.

Hain and Anderson combined for a crucial 84-run fourth wicket partnership before the former departed in the 17th over, having brought up his half-century. Their steadying influence came after the Hurricanes lost 2-3 within a handful of deliveries to put an early wobble in the relatively slender chase.

Player of the Match, Hain was only included in the side as a replacement for the injured Matthew Wade. Although, the Englishman appears to have picked up a hamstring niggle himself en route to steering the Hurricanes to a rare road win.

Things look far more bleak for the Renegades, who are trying to avoid a fourth wooden spoon in five seasons after taking out the BBL|08 title. They sit second last as one of three teams with a single win, and will now be without South African keeper-batter Quinton de Kock.

With English gloveman Joe Clarke picking up a leg injury, there remains opportunity in the Renegades’ wicketkeeper role. Legendary white ball batter Aaron Finch also officially retired during the week, but fresh blood looks to be emerging after Fergus O’Neill snared two wickets on his BBL debut.

While a wicket-maiden and eight dot balls to start the match proved less than ideal for the home side last night, positive signs showed. Jordan Cox (47 off 36) and Jonathan Wells (38* off 25) provided some impotence in a 66-run stand to give the Renegades bowlers something to defend.

The struggling Melbourne side will have over a week to regroup before taking on the Stars in a return derby fixture on January 13. Meanwhile, Hobart’s finals push heads to Brisbane on Sunday before back-to-back meetings with the Adelaide Strikers.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Hobart Hurricanes won by 6 wickets with 8 balls remaining.
POTM: Sam Hain (Hobart Hurricanes)
BAT FLIP: Hobart Hurricanes won and elected to bowl.

KEY PLAYERS

Melbourne Renegades:
Jordan Cox 47 (36), Jonathan Wells 38* (25), Jake Fraser-McGurk 26 (24)
Fergus O’Neill 2-25 (4), Peter Siddle 1-28 (3.4), Adam Zampa 1-28 (3)

Hobart Hurricanes:
Tim David 1-0 (1), Nikhil Chaudhary 1-16 (2), Nathan Ellis 1-29 (4)
Sam Hain 51 (36), Corey Anderson 41* (35), Ben McDermott 25 (23)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN

Power Play (1-4)
Renegades: 1-14
Hurricanes: 1-33

Halfway (10)
Renegades: 3-50
Hurricanes: 3-67

Totals
Renegades: 4-147 (20)
Hurricanes: 4-148 (18.4)