Hobart Hurricanes inflicted a seven-run defeat on Melbourne Stars in Match 38 of Big Bash League 2023-24 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
While the Hurricanes are out of the playoff race, the loss has given serious dents to the Stars’ finals prospects. Hurricanes’ wicket-keeper batter Matthew Wade emerged as the standout performer for his side, playing a classy knock of 63 runs.
Hobart Hurricanes’ dominating run with the willow
Hurricanes made a solid start to their innings after being put into bat, with the opening pair of Wade and Ben McDermott providing a strong foundation. They accumulated 86 runs in the initial ten overs, setting the stage for a big total. McDermott played a brisk innings, scoring 50 off 35 balls with seven fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Wade shined for his side, scoring 63 runs off 41 deliveries, featuring seven fours and a six. However, his dismissal by Dan Lawrence marked a turning point, triggering a collapse for the Hurricanes.
The Stars capitalized by taking wickets at regular intervals, and despite Tim David‘s brief cameo of 16 runs off seven balls, the Hurricanes lost seven wickets for just 55 runs. Ultimately, the guests concluded their innings at 187/8 in 20 overs, falling short of the anticipated big total due to the middle-order collapse.
Melbourne Stars’ below par run-chase
The Stars faced an early setback in their run chase, losing both openers within the power-play for just 31 runs, courtesy of Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis. Beau Webster steadied the innings at number 3, scoring 55 off 43 balls, but a quicker scoring rate from him could have been advantageous.
Despite Glenn Maxwell‘s initial promise, he struggled later on and fell victim to Nathan Ellis. Marcus Stoinis played a vital role, contributing 48 runs in a crucial 80-run partnership for the 4th wicket with Webster. With 33 runs needed from 13 balls, Stoinis was dismissed in the 18th over.
Chris Jordan and Ellis bowled tightly in the penultimate overs, setting up 24 runs to defend in the final over for Peter Hatzoglou. Cartwright and Webster each hit a six in the last over, with Webster reaching his half-century on the final ball. The Stars concluded their innings at 180/4 in 20 overs, losing the game by a tiny margin of seven runs.
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Here is how Twitter reacted:
A bittersweet victory brings our season to an end. 💜#TasmaniasTeam pic.twitter.com/DFjKcgFKAf
— Hobart Hurricanes (@HurricanesBBL) January 15, 2024
2nd fifty for Matthew Wade this BBL, would be an automatic choice in the Australian T20 WC’24 squad #BBL13 #BBL #MatthewWade
— Shivam Mittal (@ShivamM22661008) January 15, 2024
Wade gets the ‘Canes off the mark! #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/2TRIXNcJXi
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 15, 2024
Terrible batting from Webster and Stoinis. Run a ball won’t cut it
— lachlan macfarlane (@lachlanmacca90) January 15, 2024
Matthew Wade brings up his 19th Big Bash fifty! 🤩#BBL13 pic.twitter.com/XxYkmTIv1K
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 15, 2024
Maxwell is just an Ordinary Cricketer Outside Wankhede Stadium..
— JIMMYYY (@kmr8808) January 15, 2024
Ben McDermott with an enormous second decker! 😮 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/RTEKiu4TgD
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 15, 2024
Ben McDermott reminds me of Mark Cosgrove, a couple of absolute trucks #BBL
— Big Tanka (@tanka24) January 15, 2024
#BBL13 That’s good bowling from Nathan Ellis. If his ribs are bothering him, you’d not know it
— Crowdiegal (@crowdiegal) January 15, 2024
Nathan Ellis is all heart, gotta love him. Hope he plays in all formats for Australia before he finishes up in his late blooming career. #BBL13
— Rancey (@NotAlexRance) January 15, 2024
