HOBART Hurricanes surged back atop the Big Bash League (BBL) standings after a four-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades at Ninja Stadium last night. The ‘Canes will now host a final in their first postseason appearance since 2021/22, having been steered to victory by Tim David (24* off 15).

Requiring eight off the final over to surpass the visitors’ 7-154, David survived an LBW appeal off the arm of Tom Rogers before smashing a decisive six to level the scores. He then got the job done with two deliveries remaining to ice yet another result for the top-of-the-table Hurricanes.

Veteran Matthew Wade (36 off 23) helped turn the scoring rate upwards after the Hurricanes fell to 4-63 in the ninth over. He picked up from Nikhil Chaudhary, who also posted 36, before David put the finishing touches on his side’s sixth win of the BBL|14 campaign.

For all their heroics, emerging English talent Jacob Bethell was deservedly named Player of the Match having added 2-29 to his scintillating knock of 87 (50) for the Renegades. Another top order collapse saw the visitors crawl to 3-23 before Bethell took charge and gave weight to the total.

Having elected to bowl first, the Hurricanes were well served by Riley Meredith (3-36) who removed Josh Brown (6) and Marcus Harris (1) in the third Power Play over. The quick also nabbed dangerman Will Sutherland and had a hand in Tim Seifert‘s (24) dismissal, catching off Mitchell Owen‘s bowling.

Also among the wickets was Hurricanes skipper Nathan Ellis (1-31), although Billy Stanlake faces a nervous wait less than a week out from finals after injuring his shoulder in the bowling innings. He managed just one over as Hobart rotated through seven bowlers.

Renegades debutant Callum Stow (1-31) was another player to feature in the wickets column. His side, now bottom of the ladder with a 3-6 record, remains a mathematical chance of making finals but is well and truly up against it with only one game left to play.

Melbourne returns home to take on Brisbane Heat at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, in what is a must-win match for both sides. Hobart’s faces an even shorter turnaround for its own clash with the Heat, travelling up to The Gabba for tomorrow night’s fixture.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Hurricanes won by 4 wickets with 2 balls remaining
POTM: Jacob Bethell (Melbourne Renegades)
BAT FLIP: Hurricanes won and elected to bowl

Melbourne Renegades 7-154 (20)
Jacob Bethell 87 (50), Tim Seifert 24 (23), Will Sutherland 15 (14)
Riley Meredith 3-36 (4), Mitchell Owen 1-13 (2), Nathan Ellis 1-31 (4)

Hobart Hurricanes 6-155 (19.4)
Nikhil Chaudhary 36 (27), Matthew Wade 36 (23), Tim David 24* (15)
Jacob Bethell 2-29 (3), Tom Rogers 1-20 (2.4), Callum Stow 1-31 (4)

STANDINGS

1. Hobart Hurricanes | 6-1, 1 NR, 0.12 NRR
2. Sydney Thunder | 5-3, 1 NR, 0.34 NRR
3. Sydney Sixers | 5-2, 1 NR, 0.16 NRR
4. Melbourne Stars | 4-5, -0.07 NRR
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5. Brisbane Heat | 3-4, 1 NR, -0.86 NRR
6. Adelaide Strikers | 3-5, 0.09 NRR
7. Perth Scorchers | 3-6, 0.06 NRR
8. Melbourne Renegades | 3-6, 0.03 NRR