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HOBART: Shadab Khan’s all-round efforts went in vain as Hobart Hurricanes stole a nervy opening win over Sydney Thunder in the third fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 here at the Bellerive Oval on Tuesday.
Set stiff 181, Hobart Hurricanes chased down the target on the penultimate ball of the final over with four wickets in hand.
Mitchell Owen and Nikhil Chaudhary provided a flying start, adding 48 in 4.3 overs. Owen hit six fours and a maximum before getting caught on 32 from 14 balls.
Despite the wicket, the home side continued brisk scoring, courtesy of Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott’s 61-run partnership. The pair made lightwork of the chase as the scorecard read 109 at the end of 11 overs.
The stand eventually culminated with Chaudhary’s departure, who made 41 from 31 balls. Soon after, McDermott perished to give the Thunder an opening.
The right-hander made 38 from 24 with the aid of three sixes and a four.
Nonetheless, Sydney Thunder made the chase stiff for the incoming Hurricanes batters, but it was Chris Jordan’s vital contribution with the bat lower down the order that helped them finish the match.
Jordan first added 17 with Matthew Wade (25), which was followed by another unbeaten 13-run partnership with Nathan Ellis.
Jordan made 16 from 13 while Ellis remained unbeaten with five from eight balls.
For Sydney Thunder, Shadab Khan remained the standout bowler, picking up two wickets in his quota of four overs.
Earlier, after being put into bat first, Sydney Thunder managed to pile up 180-6 on the board in their allotted 20 overs.
Cameron Bancroft top-scored with 61 from 44 deliveries with the aid of four boundaries and a six, while Shadab Khan chipped in with a contribution late down the order.
The highlight of Thunder’s innings was a 59-run partnership between Bancroft and Shadab that propelled their score from 79-4 to 138-5 in 16.5 overs.
Despite Bancroft’s wicket, Shadab remained pivotal in propelling them to a strong total. The right-hander hit two fours and a six on his way to 34 from 24 balls.
For Hobart Hurricanes, Billy Stanlake took three wickets and remained the standout bowler. Chris Jordan also managed to pick two wickets in his four overs.
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