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The atmosphere at Blundstone Arena was electric on the evening of Wednesday, as the Hobart Hurricanes secured a breathtaking three-run victory over the Melbourne Stars in the BBL|15 Knockout. In a match dictated by unpredictable weather and high-octane hitting, the Hurricanes managed to keep their title hopes alive, largely thanks to a masterclass in power hitting by Beau Webster and a disciplined bowling effort under immense pressure.
The encounter was a quintessential Big Bash spectacle, compressed into a sprint after persistent rain delayed the start and eventually reduced the contest to a 10-over-a-side shootout. When play finally commenced, the Hurricanes were sent in to bat, knowing that a massive total was the only way to safeguard their season.
Beau Webster’s aggressive knock sets the tone for BBL|15 Knockout
From the onset, the Hurricanes signaled their intent. While Mitchell Owen and Tim Ward fell early in the hunt for quick runs, it was Beau Webster who anchored the innings with a violent display of precision hitting. Webster, earning the Player of the Match honors, bludgeoned 47 runs off just 26 deliveries. His innings was a clinic in short-form tactical batting, featuring three massive sixes and three boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking at a frantic 11.40 runs per over.
Webster found an able partner in Nikhil Chaudhary, who provided a late-innings surge with a 24-run cameo at a strike rate of 218.18. Despite the Stars’ bowling attack featuring the likes of Haris Rauf (2/27) and Glenn Maxwell, they struggled to contain the carnage. The Hurricanes eventually posted a formidable 114/5 in their allotted 10 overs, setting the stage for a tense second half.
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Hurricanes defend DLS target in final-over drama against Melbourne Stars
The chase was further complicated when the rain returned during the innings break. After a second delay, the match officials invoked the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, revising the Melbourne Stars’ target to 85 runs from just 7 overs. This meant the Stars needed to go at more than 12 runs per over from the first ball.
Riley Meredith proved to be the Hurricanes’ hero with the ball. He struck in his very first over, removing Thomas Rogers for 4. While Joe Clarke (31 off 17) and Hilton Cartwright (15 off 4) threatened to snatch the game away, Meredith’s ability to nail his yorkers kept Hobart in the hunt. He finished with figures of 2/19, a remarkable feat in a game of such small margins.
The equation came down to the final over, with the Stars needing 19 runs. Owen, despite being expensive earlier, held his nerve. Even with Hilton Cartwright smashing a six and two fours in a desperate late charge, the Stars finished on 81/4, falling agonizingly short by just three runs.
Good finish from Hobart Hurricanes, they scored 62 runs in last 5 overs 🏏
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
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