BBL: Matthew Wade blitz helps Hobart Hurricanes remain unbeaten

Hobart Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade blitzed his way to a 49-ball 85-run knock to set up a seven-wicket win over Sydney Thunder to remain unbeaten in the Big Bash League 2018-19 on Friday at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

Hobart Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade blitzed his way to a 49-ball 85-run knock to set up a seven-wicket win over Sydney Thunder to remain unbeaten in the Big Bash League 2018-19 on Friday at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.

After opting to field first, Hobart bowlers were taken apart by Sydney’s Jos Buttler who scored 89 off 54 leading his team to 193/6. In reply, Wade got together with Australian international D’Arcy Short (58 off 39 balls) for a stand of 120 runs in 12.1 overs, before Short was run out by Nathan McAndrew.

Sydney bowlers then got back into the game with some tight overs with Wade departing and Ben McDermott (22) departing to Sam Rainbird. However, Veteran George Bailey turned things around for Hobart with a quickfire 23 off just 10 balls to overhaul the target with five balls remaining.

Earlier, Buttler motored along aided by sloppy fielding but regular strikes at the other end meant the England batsman had to bide his time in the middle. Skipper Shane Watson was the first to go after scoring 20 to Riley Meredith while spinner Clive Rose put Hobart in trouble with wickets for Callum Ferguson and Joe Root.

James Faulkner added the scalps of Jason Sangha (7) and Daniel Sams (11). Chris Green then though supported Buttler with an unbeaten 26 off 14 balls. Buttler was the last wicket to fall in the last over to Jofra Archer.