Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes kicked off their Big Bash League title defence with a nail-biting four-wicket win over Sydney Thunder, squeezing home with just one ball to spare at Ninja Stadium on Tuesday night.
Chasing 181, the Hurricanes were given early impetus by aggressive cameos from Nikhil Chaudhary (41 off 31), Ben McDermott (38 off 24) and Mitchell Owen, whose blistering 32 from just 14 balls set the tone. But a flurry of wickets threatened to derail the chase before Hobart finally edged past Thunder’s 6 for 180 in a tense finish.
The equation came down to four runs needed from the final over after Matthew Wade fell for 25 in the penultimate. Drama followed immediately as Daniel Sams began the last over with a costly no-ball that sailed full to wicketkeeper Sam Billings. With scores level, Sams responded with three consecutive dot balls — including a bouncer that replays suggested was well above Nathan Ellis’ head — before Ellis kept his composure and drove straight down the ground to seal victory. Chris Jordan, who finished unbeaten on a vital 16, provided crucial support at the other end.
“We probably could have finished it a bit earlier,” said Hurricanes seamer Billy Stanlake, who had earlier claimed 3 for 34. “But there was always confidence. You’re never perfect in the first game, so to get the win is a nice start.”
Earlier, Sydney Thunder were asked to bat first and leaned heavily on Cameron Bancroft, who anchored the innings with a composed 61 from 44 balls. With David Warner sidelined due to a back injury, Bancroft steadied the Thunder after an explosive start, while Shadab Khan (34 off 24) and Sams (23 not out off 11) injected late momentum.
Thunder raced to 46 for 1 in the powerplay, with Matthew Gilkes striking 20 off seven before holing out to Stanlake. The Hurricanes clawed things back through disciplined middle-overs bowling, with Stanlake also removing Bancroft and young Sam Konstas, who showed flashes of promise in his 28 from 25 before being struck on the arm and later not returning to the field.
Jordan provided a key turning point in the 10th over, clean bowling both Billings and Oliver Davies with deliveries that jagged back sharply. Bangladeshi spinner Rishad Hossain impressed on debut, conceding just 18 runs from his three overs.
In a finish that echoed last season’s final between the same sides, Hobart once again held their nerve when it mattered most — beginning their title defence with a hard-fought win and a reminder that they remain a tough outfit to put away.
