Match 7, Hobart, December 21, 2024, 10:30 AM

155/6(20.0ov)
156/2(19.2ov)

Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by 8 wickets

GOT HIM, CHOPPED ON! Want to know who? We will give you a hint. It is the new opener picked up by Australia to replace Nathan McSweeney for the remaining two Tests against India. For more information, quickly hop into the Sydney Smash matchcentre!
Hobart Hurricanes' MITCHELL OWEN HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his wonderful unbeaten 101 (64). Owen says that it feels nice to get the first win on the board. Being asked about how to approach the chase, Mitchell says that he just tried to first put bat on ball and then accelerate as he got set. Believes that he was in much better mental space in this game as compared to the previous match and was able to bat freely. Credits the coaching staff for bringing him in the playing XI and also pushing him up the order, as the Hurricanes are keen to bring in more allrounders into their playing XI. Hopes to have a good summer from here on for himself and his team.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the day, Hobart Hurricanes bowled well to restrict Perth Scorchers to a chaseable total. At 110/2 after 13 overs, 180, perhaps even 200 was loading but the 'Canes executed their death-over skills to perfection. The Scorchers did not lose wickets in a hurry as such but could never find big overs in succession. Please stay tuned to know who would be the Player Of The Match.
The Hobart Hurricanes lost Caleb Jewell early but it seemed like they had plenned this run chase well. Mitchell Owen was batting beautifully while Shai Hope did well to support him nicely. Their 101-run stand ensured that the Hurricanes were always around that required rate, despite a few frugal overs being bowled in tandem by the Scorchers. Big day for Owen, who will hope to build on this knock.
155 has been the average first-innings score in the last 10 T20s at this venue but it did seem a few runs short. However, Perth Scorchers rallied themselves around and though they did not pick up much wickets, they ensured that the game never went away from them. Probably Lance Morris was the weak link in this game. Cooper Connolly started really well but could not quite continue with the same rhythm. Jason Behrendorff and Ashton Agar were excellent but could not get continuous support. As far as Australia are concerned, Jhye Richardson looked sharp and in good shape ahead of the MCG Test next week.
Joyous scenes at the Bellerive Oval. Mitchell Owen is still soaking it up and although one might say that this win belongs to the Hobart bowlers, the Scorchers fought tooth and nail and eventually, Owen was the one standing between them and victory. His mates rush out to the middle from the dugout and embrace him. This means a lot to everyone.
In over# 20
1
4
2nb
Lance Morris 39/0(3.2)
19.2
1
HOBART HURRICANES WIN BY 8 WICKETS! A short ball, outside off, Owen backs away and tries to slap it on the off side. Mistimes it, but gets enough to clear the inner circle and take the single. That's all Hobart Hurricanes need to get on the board in BBL 2024-25!
19.1
4
FOUR! HUNDRED FOR OWEN! The crowd is on its feet. A new star is born - Mitchell Owen. Take a bow, sir. A highly entertaining innings. The Free Hit is an overpitched delivery outside off and Mitchell Owen drives it gloriously through the covers! Scores level now.
19.1
2nb
NO BALL! Oh that is a sorry state for Morris. He bowls a high full toss, around middle and Ben McDermott is totally surprised. But he manages to fend it away to the leg side and gets Owen back on strike with a single. FREE HIT loading, with Owen on 96!
Lance Morris should be bowling the last over, unless Turner has some other inspirations. He has gone for 32 in his 3 overs but there is no option left, unless the skipper wants to bowl himself. Yes, it is Morris. 6 to defend.
In over# 19
1
0
2
0
1
4
1wd
Jhye Richardson 33/0(4)
18.6
1
Ends with a single! Again a yorker, just outside off, Ben McDermott drills it down the ground to long off for a single. He wants a double but is sent back by the Mitchell Owen.
18.5
.
A low full toss, around off and middle, Ben McDermott tucks it to mid-wicket as the connection isn't very good which he wants to make on it.
18.4
2
Byes! A yorker again but down the leg this time as he follows the batter. Ben McDermott moves across to flick it but misses as the ball goes through the hands of the keeper to deep fine leg. They get a couple of runs for byes.
18.3
.
Excellent yorker, around off, all Ben McDermott can do is dig it out.
18.2
1
Nicely bowled, tighter line, tapped through mid-wicket for a single. Moves to 96, does Owen. His team needs 10.
18.1
4
FOUR! BOSH! How hard has he hit that? That nearly cleaned up Richardson! Right in the slot, on a length, outside off, Owen gets under it and blasts it past the bowler through mid off! Moves to 95 as well!