Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

McDermott blitz helps Hurricanes down Strikers in high-scorer

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Friday, 27 December 2024 04:21

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

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

Hurricanes had contributions through their batting order after being sent in on a typically flat Adelaide Oval surface. McDermott's 68 off 34 balls, including five sixes, provided the finishing touches in the death overs to lift Hurricanes to a massive total.

Strikers were on track in their chase of 215 after skipper Matthew Short and D'Arcy Short smashed 76 runs within seven overs, but regular wickets proved costly as Hurricanes claimed an 11-run victory.

The result leaves Strikers at a shaky 1-3 record, while Hurricanes have won consecutive games after being routed for 74 by Melbourne Renegades in their season-opener.

McDermott and David fire after Owen's early dismissal

After his rapid century against Perth Scorchers, all eyes were on Mitch Owen who promptly smashed the spin of Matt Short for a boundary through cover on the second ball of the innings.

Owen went for broke on every delivery but it proved his downfall as he holed out to long-on in an anti-climactic finish.

While Caleb Jewell struggled with his rhythm, Shai Hope followed Owen's blueprint and swung hard. He gave himself plenty of room by moving around the crease and trusted the surface's true bounce.

Hope made a breezy 37 off 22 but couldn't kick on as Hurricanes struggled to ignite in the middle overs until Tim David arrived at the crease in the 14th over.

David came in at an opportune time amid the power surge as he eyed finding top form having tailed off in recent times, including a second-ball duck against Renegades.

David can sometimes overhit early in his innings, but he gave himself time to settle in. It wasn't long before David was in full flight as he rattled quick Henry Thornton with a full-blooded pull shot that sailed into the terraces.

David couldn't make it through to the end after his whirlwind 33 off 14 balls ended when quick Liam Scott cleaned him up with a full delivery.

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

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

Overton executes superbly

Allrounder Jamie Overton has been Strikers' standout performer so far this season with healthy bat and ball contributions. Once again he starred 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 bite. He claimed the wickets of Hope and Nikhil Chaudhary with short deliveries that beat them for pace.

Strikers' attack had no answer for Hurricanes in the backend except for Overton, who in the penultimate over bowled a succession of canny slower fuller deliveries to concede just eight runs.

Overton's execution under pressure was a feature in a superb performance.

Ellis steps up in key moments

Hurricanes were nervous with Matt Short rediscovering his best form. But skipper Nathan Ellis stepped up with a terrific catch to dismiss Short after sprinting from extra cover to hang on after an initial fumble.

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

David also made a significant impact with a brilliant diving catch at mid-on to dismiss Ross and he celebrated with gusto.

Skipper finds form but it's not enough

Strikers were faced with a daunting chase, but they have mowed down similar scores before at home.

They needed Matt Short to fire having only scored 31 runs from three innings this season on the back of struggles in the white-ball series against Pakistan.

He looked nervous early and was hit on the pads by speedster Riley Meredith, but survived. Short made his move with consecutive sixes off quick Billy Stanlake in the second over, but he was soon overtaken by his opening partner D'Arcy Short as they smashed 49 runs in the powerplay.

They kept going for it and clearing boundaries until D'Arcy Short top-edged Stanlake to deep square leg after a brisk 41 off 22 balls. Following a cameo 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 shortly afterwards and Strikers' chase ran out of puff despite late hitting from Overton. Strikers' season hangs in the balance ahead of a pivotal clash against Scorchers in their traditional New Year's Eve home fixture.

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth

Read 31 times

Soccer

Arteta: 'Powerhouse' Havertz can propel Arsenal

Arteta: 'Powerhouse' Havertz can propel Arsenal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has described Kai Havertz as a genetic "powerhouse" an...

Man United's Tyrell Malacia joins PSV on loan

Man United's Tyrell Malacia joins PSV on loan

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has completed a loan move...

Prem closer to bringing in semi-auto VAR offside

Prem closer to bringing in semi-auto VAR offside

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League has said "significant progress" has been made wi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Fans say Mavs offering refunds after Luka trade

Fans say Mavs offering refunds after Luka trade

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Dallas Mavericks have offered refunds to fans who have canceled...

KD downgraded to doubtful as trade talks swirl

KD downgraded to doubtful as trade talks swirl

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKevin Durant, who is 26 points shy of 30,000 for his career, has be...

Baseball

Cubs deepen bullpen, trade for Dodgers' Brasier

Cubs deepen bullpen, trade for Dodgers' Brasier

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier in a t...

Laureano joins Orioles on one-year, $4M contract

Laureano joins Orioles on one-year, $4M contract

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- Ramon Laureano and Baltimore agreed Tuesday on a $4 mi...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated