It was the Sixers who won the bat flip and sent the Hurricanes in to bat, and whilst it wasn’t the ‘Canes preference, they didn’t let it get in their way. Openers Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short were seemingly back to their old ways, leading their side to set an ambitious target of 92 for the Bash Boost Point, without losing a wicket by the halfway mark of their innings.
With Tim David named as the Hurricanes’ X-Factor substitute – a strategic move in the hope that the ‘Canes would bowl first – and Wade and Short flying by the time the 10th innings drinks break came around, Pete Handscomb nominated to sub himself out of the game at the 10-over mark, as a replacement for David and the overall benefit of the team,
With both openers reaching their half century and continuing to fly in the back half of the innings, the Hurricanes’ were on track for a score in excess of 200. However, when Sean Abbott got the breakthrough in the 15th over, dismissing Wade for 86 (made off 44 balls), the ‘Canes wickets began to tumble rather quickly. Besides Short – who finished on 72 runs off 52 balls – Dawid Malan was the only other Hurricane to reach double figures with the bat; he made 11 off eight.
After a 145-run opening stand, the Hurricanes lost eight wickets for 43 runs, finishing on 8-188 after their allotted 20 overs with the bat.
The Sixers got off to a shaky start with the bat, slumping to 3-37 in the fifth over. Sixers Captain, Moises Henriques, however, partnered with Tasmanian-contracted player, Jordan Silk, for a much-needed 70-run partnership. Being dropped on both three and 27, Henriques made the most of these opportunities, racing away to 43 runs off just 25 balls.
It was Sandeep Lamichhane who provided the much needed breakthrough for the Hurricanes – he claimed the scalp of the Sixers Captain in the 12th over, followed by danger man, Dan Christian, the very next ball. Although the prospective hat trick didn’t come off, Lamichhane provided the momentum swing the Hurricanes desperately needed.
Lead by Silk, the Sixers weren’t going down without a fight. Somehow, it all came down to the final over, where the Sixers required 26 runs to win; a tall order but definitely not impossible. Unfortunately, it was not Riley Meredith’s night, who with the ball in hand for the final over, bowled two no balls, resulting in two free hits. However, he thankfully also claimed the wicket of the dangerous Silk with two balls to spare in the match, guiding the ‘Canes to a close yet crucial victory.
Top-scorer, Wade, was named as Player of the Match.
The win not only means the Hurricanes thus far have a sweep over the Sixers in KFC BBL|10, but that the ‘Canes are still in the run for the finals.
The Hurricanes final game of the regular season will again take place at the MCG, this time on Tuesday against the Melbourne Renegades. The match will commence at 3.50pm, and be broadcast on Channel 7, Foxtel and SEN. It will be also be available to livestream via Kayo Sports.