A HISTORIC Mitchell Owen century has helped deliver the Hobart Hurricanes their maiden BBL title. The towering opener blasted 108 off 42 deliveries to set up victory for the home side at Bellerive Oval, as they chased down the Sydney Thunder’s 7-182 with 35 balls remaining and seven wickets to spare.

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Owen’s ton was the equal-fastest in competition history, coming off just 39 balls to match the feats of Craig Simmons back in BBL|03. It was only the second-ever century in a BBL decider. His first 50 came off just 16 balls, making for the second-fastest half-century in any match.

Having been bowled out for 74 in their season-opening match against Melbourne Renegades, Hobart notched up the same score within four overs to post the biggest-ever Power Play total. In a sign of Owen’s dominance, opening partner Caleb Jewell owned just six of them.

OWEN’S CENTURY BY THE NUMBERS:

– 108 runs off 42 balls
– 11 sixes, 6 fours
– 90 runs in boundaries
– 50 in 16 balls (second-fastest ever, fastest in a final)
– 100 in 39 balls (equal-fastest ever)
– 68 of 74 runs in Power Play
– 85 runs in 109-run opening partnership
– Upon wicket, 44 runs off 58 balls required
– New personal-best BBL score

Nathan McAndrew‘s 23-run opening set of six was a sign of things to come, as the required run rate of just over nine per over plummeted below a run a ball within the seventh over. The opening stand ended on 109 (44) with just 74 runs left to accrue in 76 deliveries.

Jewell (13 off 12) was the man to depart as Tanveer Sangha (2-43) made a double breakthrough in the eighth over. Owen was removed off the arm of Tom Andrews (1-30) shortly after drinks, with the break in momentum proving costly. At that point, he left 44 off 58 balls to get for the title.

Enter Matthew Wade, who classically coined the phrase ‘they’re nervous, we’re calm’, and guided the Hurricanes to victory. He finished with an unbeaten 32 off 17 balls, clashing with opposition gloveman Sam Billings along the way. Ben McDermott (18* off 12) was the man to hit the winning runs.

The pair took the Power Surge with 31 runs left on the board and bashed 29 of them across the two overs. McDermott’s ramp flick for four closed the show and sent the packed-out local crowd into raptures, ending a dominant chase in just 14.1 overs.

Earlier, the Thunder were sent in to bat and made a terrific start via Jason Sangha (67 off 42) and David Warner (48 off 32). The opening pair combined for 97 off 62 balls, carrying their side just over halfway at a terrific rate before the latter departed.

Sangha carried on alongside Billings (20 off 14), before Oliver Davies (26 off 19) and Chris Green (16 off 9) added some handy middle order runs late in the innings. Hobart skipper Nathan Ellis (3-23) removed both openers, while Riley Meredith (3-27) did the damage later on.

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SCORECARD

RESULT: Hurricanes won by 7 wickets with 35 balls remaining.
POTM: Mitchell Owen (Hobart Hurricanes)
BAT FLIP: Hurricanes won and elected to bowl first.

Sydney Thunder 7-182 (20)
J. Sangha 67 (42), D. Warner 48 (32), O. Davis 26 (19)
N. Ellis 3-23 (4), R. Meredith 3-27 (4)

Hobart Hurricanes 3-185 (14.1)
M. Owen 108 (42), M. Wade 32* (17), B. McDermott 18* (12)
T. Sangha 2-43 (4), T. Andrews 1-30 (3)

INNINGS BREAKDOWNS:

Power Play (1-4):
Thunder: 0-40
Hurricanes: 0-74

Halfway (10):
Thunder: 0-97
Hurricanes: 2-138

Power Surge:
Thunder (17-18): 0-20
Hurricanes (13-14): 0-29

Totals:
Thunder: 7-182 (20)
Hurricanes: 3-185 (14.1)