BBL 2024 2024/25, Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes 13th Match, Adelaide Match Report, Dec 27, 2024

Hobart Hurricanes 214 for 5 (McDermott 68*, Hope 37, Overton 2-27) beaten Adelaide Forwards 203 for 6 (M Short 52, D Short 41, Jordan 2-36) by 11 runs

Ben McDermott propelled the Hobart Hurricanes to their highest total of the BBL season with a belligerent half-century to overwhelm the flagging Adelaide Strikers.

Hurricanes contributed through their batting order after being sent to a mostly flat surface at Adelaide Oval. McDermott’s 68 off 34 balls, including five sixes, provided the finishing touches to the deadly overs to take the Hurricanes to a huge total.

The attackers were on track in their pursuit of 215 after skippers Matthew Short and D’Arcy Short smashed 76 runs in seven overs, but regular wickets proved costly as the Hurricanes cruised to an 11-run victory .

The result leaves the Strikers with a shaky 1-3 record, while the Hurricanes have won back-to-back matches after being routed for 74 by the Melbourne Renegades in their season opener.

McDermott and David fire after Owen’s early dismissal

After his quick century against the Perth Scorchers, all eyes were on Mitch Owen who quickly broke Matt Short’s spin for a boundary through cover on the second ball of the innings.

Owen went bankrupt with every delivery, but that proved his downfall as he fought long into an anti-climatic finish.

While Caleb Jewell struggled with his pace, Shai Hope followed Owen’s plan and swung hard. He gave himself plenty of space moving around the crease and trusted the true bounce of the surface.

Hope made 37 from 22, but couldn’t get going as the Hurricanes struggled to get going in the middle until Tim David came to the crease in the 14th over.

David came at an opportune time amid the build-up as he looked to return to his best form after slowing down of late, including a second-ball duck against the Renegades.

David can sometimes over-hit early in his innings, but he has given himself time to settle down. It wasn’t long before David was in full flight when he rattled the speedy Henry Thornton with a pureblood shot that sailed into the terraces.

David couldn’t go all the way after his whirlwind 33 from 14 balls ended when quick Liam Scott cleaned him up with a full delivery.

McDermott had been deprived of striking but made up for lost time with a succession of powerful blows. He was inventive against spinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce with reverse sweeps and he also used his feet effectively.

McDermott, standing still in the crease and watching the ball closely, was in the zone as he lifted the Hurricanes well past the 200 mark.

Overton performs superbly

All-rounder Jamie Overton has been the standout player for the Strikers so far this season with healthy contributions with both bat and ball. Once again he played with the ball after finishing with a very respectable 2 for 27 from his four overs.

On an unforgiving surface for bowlers, Overton bent his back and extracted the bite. He claimed the wickets of Hope and Nikhil Chaudhary with short deliveries that bowled them to pace.

The strikers’ attack had no answer for the Hurricanes in the back order, except for Overton, who, in the penultimate over, delivered a succession of slower, more astute deliveries to conceding only eight points.

Overton’s execution under pressure was a hallmark of a superb performance.

Ellis steps in at key moments

The Hurricanes were nervous as Matt Short returned to his best form. But skipper Nathan Ellis stepped up with a superb catch to dismiss Short after sprinting from extra cover to hold on after an early fumble.

Ellis made another important contribution as he bowled brilliantly in the 14th over amid the surge. He delivered full, accurate deliveries in trademark style to tie Alex Ross and Ollie Pope and ensure the Strikers were well behind the required run rate.

David also made a significant impact with a brilliant half-time dive to dismiss Ross and he celebrated enthusiastically.

Skipper gets back in shape but it’s not enough

The attackers faced a formidable chase, but they have reaped similar scores at home before.

They needed Matt Short to fire after scoring just 31 runs in three innings this season following struggles in the white-ball series against Pakistan.

He looked nervous at first and was hit on the pads by speedster Riley Meredith, but survived. Short made his move with consecutive sixes against the speedy Billy Stanlake in the second round, but he was quickly overtaken by his opening partner D’Arcy Short as they smashed 49 runs in the powerplay.

They continued and cleared boundaries until D’Arcy Short edged Stanlake to deep square leg after a quick 41 off 22 balls. Following an appearance from Chris Lynn, the pressure fell on Short who notched the second-fastest BBL half-century of his career off 27 balls.

But Short fell soon after and the Strikers’ chase petered out despite Overton’s late strikes. The forwards’ season hangs in the balance ahead of a crucial clash against the Scorchers in their traditional New Year’s Eve home game.

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth