Captain Ellis steers ‘Canes to consolation win
HOBART Hurricanes have capped off their BBL|13 campaign with a seven-run win over the Melbourne Stars, marking the end of both sides’ seasons. Having been sent in to bat at the MCG, the visitors successfully defended 187 to secure the consolation of finishing above the Stars, in fifth.
Hurricanes firebrand Ben McDermott (50 off 35) got his side off to a fast start, before opening partner Matthew Wade (63 off 41) went on with the job. The pair put on 86 runs in a powerful opening wicket stand, building the platform for what ended up being a formidable total.
After both openers were dismissed, Hobart suffered a middle order wobble of 3-5 in the space of an over, but that didn’t stop the big hitters freeing their shoulders. Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-18) was economic for the Stars, while part-timer Dan Lawrence (4-35) removed four of the Hurricanes’ top six.
In reply, the home side’s chase looked to be in dire straights when Glenn Maxwell (32 off 18) was dismissed, leaving his side 3-75. Maxwell was visibly frustrated after being skittled by opposing skipper Nathan Ellis, as the Stars struggled to make ground during a tight middle-over patch.
The silver lining was that his wicket brought Beau Webster (55* off 43) and Marcus Stoinis (48 off 32) together. Both notoriously big hitters, the pair kept their side in the hunt until Stoinis fell to Chris Jordan, leaving the Stars with 32 runs to get off 13 deliveries.
Clutch death overs from Jordan (1-31) and Ellis (2-29) ensured the Hurricanes would see home the victory, despite returning spinner Peter Hatzoglou leaking 16 runs in the final over, including two sixes. In the end, the valiant Stars fell seven runs short – even with six wickets in hand.
The result meant little in the grand scheme of the season, with both sides consigned to bottom four spots. Hobart beat only the three sides below them for a total of four wins, while the Stars crashed out in sixth after bookending a four-game winning streak with seperate three-loss skids.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Hurricanes (8-187) def. Stars (4-180) by 7 runs.
POTM: Nathan Ellis (Hobart Hurricanes)
BAT FLIP: Melbourne Stars won the toss & elected to bowl.
KEY PLAYERS
Melbourne Stars:
Beau Webster 55* (43), Marcus Stoinis 48 (32), Glenn Maxwell 32 (18)
Dan Lawrence 4-35 (4), Nathan Coulter-Nile 2-18 (4), Imad Wasim 2-35 (4)
Hobart Hurricanes:
Matthew Wade 63 (41), Ben McDermott 50 (35), Nathan Ellis 16 (5)
Nathan Ellis 2-29 (4), Chris Jordan 1-31 (4), Riley Meredith 1-43 (4)
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