MELBOURNE: Sydney Thunder’s batter – Alex Hales scored a magnificent 80 not-out on return; assisting the side to beat Hobart Hurricanes by nine wickets, in the 43rd match of the ongoing edition of Big Bash League (BBL).

Following Hales’ brilliance, the Thunder comfortably chase down 140 for the loss of just one wicket in the 18th over.

Batting first, the Hurricanes had a poor start to their innings; losing their first wicket for just nine as Caleb Jewell departed after scoring a mere four. Ben McDermott and Peter Handscomb, however, anchored the innings with a valuable 53-runs partnership.

The pair appeared solid before Handscomb walked back to the pavilion after scoring 21 off 25 balls. Soon after, the side began to lose wickets at an alarming rate, top-scorer McDermott also became the victim; resulting in the side being restricted to 139/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Handscomb top-scored with his 38; facing 34 balls. He smoked three boundaries and a six.

For the Thunder, Gurinder Sandhu and Nathan McAndrew picked two wickets each, while Daniel Sams and Tanveer Sangha made one scalp each.

Set to chase 140, the Thunder fumbled at the start; losing their first wicket for 34 as Matthew Gilkes fell short to D’Arcy Short after scoring 19 off 17 balls. However, Hales and Jason Sangha recorded a match-winning and unbeaten partnership of 106-runs, guiding the side to a comfortable victory.

Sangha scored an unbeaten 35 off 31 balls, while Hales starred; scoring a terrific 80 not-out off just 56 balls, laced with 11 boundaries and a six.

For the Hurricanes, only Short managed to make one scalp as the rest of their bowlers went wicketless.

Following this victory, the Thunder have consolidated their second position on the points table, while the Hurricanes remained at the fourth.

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