Matthew Wade’s last-ball six sealed a dramatic win for the Hobart Hurricanes as they chased down 202 to defeat Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. The victory not only solidified Hurricanes’ dominance with their seventh consecutive win but also secured them a home final. Openers Caleb Jewell and Mitchell Owen provided a blazing start on the […]
Matthew Wade’s last-ball six sealed a dramatic win for the Hobart Hurricanes as they chased down 202 to defeat Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. The victory not only solidified Hurricanes’ dominance with their seventh consecutive win but also secured them a home final. Openers Caleb Jewell and Mitchell Owen provided a blazing start on the batting-friendly surface. However, a late wobble left the Hurricanes needing 11 runs off the final over. Wade, calm under pressure, struck the decisive blow with a towering six off Xavier Bartlett, propelling his team to a stunning victory.
For the Heat, the night had started promisingly, with Marnus Labuschagne smashing an electrifying 77 off 44 balls in his return to the BBL. Despite the strong total, their bowling lineup struggled to contain the Hurricanes’ firepower. Adding to their woes, left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann injured his right thumb late in the match, a setback that could affect his availability for Australia’s upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka.
The Hurricanes’ win also kept the finals hopes alive for Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, and Melbourne Renegades, who faced elimination had the Heat emerged victorious. While the Heat missed their opportunity, the result left the tournament’s playoff race wide open, promising a thrilling conclusion to the BBL season.
Catch up on new blogs at IPLbookmakers.
The decision to elevate Mitchell Owen to the opening spot has paid rich dividends for the Hobart Hurricanes this season. The power-hitting Owen capitalized on the opportunity once again, launching three sixes in his favored leg-side area to power the Hurricanes to 47 for 0 in just four overs. Amidst his blistering start, a fire in the DJ booth in the terraces caused a brief evacuation. However, the delay did little to disrupt Owen’s rhythm as he resumed with a barrage of sixes off Mitchell Swepson before falling for a rapid 44 off 20 balls.
After Charlie Wakim’s dismissal for a duck in a close stumping decision, Caleb Jewell and Nikhil Chaudhary steadied the innings with an 81-run partnership. Jewell showcased his class with elegant strokes through the covers, setting the Hurricanes firmly in control heading into the Power Surge in the 16th over. However, the match took a dramatic turn when both Jewell and Chaudhary fell during the Surge, leaving the Hurricanes needing a nervy finish to complete the chase.
With 11 runs required off the final over, Matthew Wade and Jake Doran faced Bartlett’s clever mix of slower deliveries. The tension peaked as Wade swept a quicker ball into the stands on the final delivery, sealing a remarkable victory for the Hurricanes. The win not only highlighted the Hurricanes’ resilience but also had broader implications, keeping the finals hopes alive for several other BBL teams.
Brisbane Heat, known for their stellar fielding during last season’s championship run, struggled to maintain their standards as the current season progressed. Dropped catches proved costly, with Nathan McSweeney putting down three tough chances, including crucial opportunities to dismiss Mitchell Owen and Caleb Jewell early. While McSweeney partially redeemed himself with brilliant efforts to dismiss Jewell and Nikhil Chaudhary, the damage had already been done. Mitchell Swepson also showcased some brilliance, taking a spectacular catch to remove Tim David, but it wasn’t enough to tilt the game in Heat’s favor.
Adding to their woes was an injury concern for Matthew Kuhnemann, who left the field clutching his right thumb after being struck by a firm drive from Matthew Wade during his final over. With his fitness now under a cloud, the Heat not only suffered a defeat but also face uncertainty over a key player ahead of crucial matches.
Hobart Hurricanes suffered a major blow with Billy Stanlake ruled out for the rest of the season after a shoulder injury against the Renegades. Filling Stanlake’s void was left-arm pacer Marcus Bean, a 21-year-old Queenslander making his professional debut after being called up from club cricket in Tasmania. Despite the pressure, Bean rose to the challenge, albeit with a nervy start. His opening over saw a wide and a sprayed delivery that resulted in an awkward dismissal as Nathan McSweeney chipped a mistimed shot to cover.
Sporting a wispy moustache and bleached blonde hair, Bean found his rhythm, delivering at a sharp 135 kph and testing Marnus Labuschagne with a back-of-a-length gem. Bowling across four different phases, Bean displayed composure and promise, finishing his debut spell with respectable figures of 1 for 32 from 4 overs. His spirited performance highlighted his potential and offered a glimmer of hope for the Hurricanes in the absence of Stanlake.
The returns of Marnus Labuschagne and captain Usman Khawaja brought high expectations, with both playing their only BBL matches of the season. Khawaja wasted no time, smashing a boundary off the first ball and displaying inventive stroke play reminiscent of his new Test opening partner Sam Konstas. He scooped a six off Nathan Ellis before lapping a full toss to the boundary, racing to 23 off just 8 balls. However, his cameo ended when Ellis outsmarted him with a brilliant slower delivery. Matthew Renshaw then stole the spotlight from Labuschagne, hammering a rapid 40 during a 69-run partnership that kept the Heat’s run rate above 10 an over. His improved power-hitting was evident, though his innings ended in frustration with a run-out at the keeper’s end while attempting a second run.
After a brief lull in the middle overs, the Heat reignited their momentum during the Power Surge, smashing 33 runs across the 15th and 16th overs. Labuschagne, who had taken a backseat initially, stepped up with a mix of textbook shots and innovative strokes to dismantle Riley Meredith’s bowling. Despite a modest BBL record, Labuschagne seemed rejuvenated by the freedom of T20 cricket following a demanding Test summer, echoing the recent performances of Steven Smith. He notched a 31-ball half-century and orchestrated an 85-run stand with Tom Alsop, which proved pivotal in turning the innings around.
Labuschagne capped off the Heat’s innings with his best-ever BBL score, showcasing his ability to adapt his game to the shortest format. His knock added a touch of class to a team performance that combined explosive power with strategic acceleration, ensuring a competitive total and highlighting the potential impact of Test stars in domestic T20 leagues.
Read More: Padikkal and Shetty Lead Karnataka to Vijay Hazare Trophy Final