AN UNBEATEN knock of 68 from Ben McDermott set up a high-scoring 11-run win for the Hobart Hurricanes over Adelaide Strikers despite a 76-run opening partnership from the home side. In a classic at Adelaide Oval, it was a night for the batsmen as 11 players across the two sides reached double figures, with two half centuries and a host of 30-plus scorers.

The Hurricanes set the intensity from the get-go despite losing opener Mitchell Owen early, as the Tasmanian side smashed 5-214 from 20 overs in what looked like a tough run chase for the Strikers. However a 76-run opening partnership from Matt and D’Arcy Short put the home team in the box seat. Looking good to reach the total, it took a consistent bowling effort in the last five overs to ensure the Strikers did not chase down the Hurricanes’ total.

While losing Owen in the first over was a blow for the Hurricanes, Shai Hope joined Caleb Jewell at the crease and the pair began to build the run rate. Hope in particular smashed 37 off 22 before Lloyd Pope claimed the all important wicket of Jewell. Hope went three overs later, but by that stage, McDermott was at the crease and had already hit two over the fence.

While largely doing well to contain the Hurricanes to just 3-98 off 11 overs, McDermott and then Tim David proved a thorn in the Strikers’ side. The latter hit 18 runs off the second over of the Power Play, and then the former joined in the fun. They added a 54-run fifth wicket partnership before Liam Scott eventually ended the fun of David after the batsmen hit a quickfire 33 off 14 balls.

McDermott would last the innings though, then teaming up with Chris Jordan (17 not out off 10 balls) while smashing anything that he could. Producing a 36-run sixth wicket partnership, the pair saw out the innings and put up a highly competitive total of 5-214.

Despite the confidence of the visitors being high, that was short-lived as the Short’s smashed their way to 76 runs before Billy Stanlake claimed the breakthrough wicket of D’Arcy Short with a skied top edge straight to Owen at backward square leg. He would finish on 41 from 22 balls, while Matt Short went on to hit a half century of 52 off 29, seeing off first drop batsman Chris Lynn (19 off 13) just before the halfway mark of the innings.

Well ahead of the Hurricanes at the same stage, a spectacular catch from Hurricanes’ skipper Nathan Ellis in extra cover off Waqar Salamkheil to finally stop Matt Short proved a match-winning effort. Ollie Pope and Alex Ross had to get into the match and the next few overs – including the Power Surge – were relatively quiet.

The home side went from a strong position with its run rate to falling behind the Strikers in the final few overs. Pope did his best to try and carry the team across the line with a mid-order knock of 39 off 27, but ultimately, the work of Riley Meredith and Jordan kept the Strikers batsmen quiet.

Once Pope fell, there was not much left despite Jamie Overton doing everything he could in the final over 19 runs to end his quick burst on an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls. Despite his best efforts, the Strikers ended their innings 11 runs short of the total, scoring 6-203.

The victory moved the Hurricanes to a positive 2-1 ledger for the BBL|14 season, while the Strikers slumped to a 1-3 record thus far. Adelaide will host Perth Scorchers on New Year’s Eve, while Hobart welcomes in 2025 back on the Apple Isle with a home clash against Sydney Sixers at Bellerive.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Hurricanes won by 11 runs
POTM: Ben McDermott (Hobart Hurricanes)
BAT FLIP: Strikers won and elected to bowl

Hobart Hurricanes 5-214 (20)
Ben McDermott 68* (34), Shai Hope 37 (22), Tim David 33 (14)
Jamie Overton 2-27 (4), Lloyd Pope 1-40 (4)

Adelaide Strikers 6-203 (20)
Matt Short 52 (29), D’Arcy Short 41 (22), Ollie Pope 39 (27)
Chris Jordan 2-36 (4), Nathan Ellis 1-34 (4)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN:

Power Play (1-4):
Hurricanes: 1-43
Strikers: 0-49

Halfway (10):
Hurricanes: 3-92
Strikers: 2-108

Power Surge:
Hurricanes: (14-15): 3-120 to 4-146 (1-26)
Strikers: (14-15): 3-131 to 4-149 (1-18)

Totals:
Hurricanes: 5-214 (20)
Strikers: 6-203 (20)

SQUADS

Hobart Hurricanes: Mitchell Owen, Caleb Jewell, Shai Hope, Ben McDermott (wk), Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Waqar Salamkheil

Adelaide Strikers: Matt Short (c), D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Ollie Pope (wk), Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, Liam Scott, James Bazley, Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope