HUR VS THU MATCH 21

Right then, that's all from this game. Hobart Hurricanes have their second win of the competition whereas the Sydney Thunder have started 2024 with a loss. The Big Bash League action does not stop here on this New Year's Day as we have one more game coming up. The second game of the day sees the Brisbane Heat take on Sydney Sixers at The Gabba. The toss has been delayed in that game due to rain but let's hope that the weather clears up soon. See you there, cheers!

Chris Jordan is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the ball. He took 2 for 20 from his four overs. He says that he had a good time with the ball in this game and it feels good when you win a must-win game. He adds by saying that they had their plans in place and the execution was good from everyone to restrict Sydney Thunder at 150. He finishes by saying that they are looking to take it one game at a time and now it's onto the next game from here on.

Time for the presentation ceremony....

Earlier in the game, it was Nathan Ellis who won the bat flip and put Sydney Thunder into bat under overcast conditions. The Thunder were off to a rocky start as they lost both their overseas batters in the Powerplay to be on the back foot early. Nathan Ellis rotated his bowlers well as Thunder kept losing wickets at regular intervals. As a result, they could not manage to get any momentum into their innings, and even the Power Surge did not go in their favour. Thanks to a quickfire 17-ball 33 from skipper Chris Green, they were able to finish well with the bat, and his cameo helped Thunder reach 150. For the Hobart Hurricanes, Chris Jordan, Nikhil Chaudhary, and Patrick Dooley combined to take two wickets each.

Thanks to Chris Green's late flourish with the bat, the Thunder bowlers had something to bowl at. Daniel Sams bowled a probing first over to set the tone for the Thunder. However, Gurinder Sandhu was not able to back it up from his end which meant that there was no pressure on the Hurricanes openers. Tanveer Sangha and Nathan McAndrew struck in quick succession which brought the Thunder back in the game. They needed wickets at regular intervals to stay ahead in the game which did not happen. Moreover, Sams conceded 18 runs in the first over of the Power Surge which crushed any hopes of a comeback for the Thunder Nation.

It was Caleb Jewell who got the Hobart Hurricanes off to a quick start in their pursuit of 151. Matthew Wade was struggling with his back but Jewell was unperturbed and kept the scoreboard ticking. Wade's struggles eventually came to an end and Jewell followed him back into the hut. The loss of two wickets put the Hurricanes under pressure and it opened the door for the Thunder. Ben McDermott and Macalister Wright got together and stitched a solid 85-run stand to ensure that their side had the chase under control. McDermott was the aggressor of the two batters while Wright played the second fiddle in the partnership. Wright could not bat through but McDermott remained unbeaten on 53 while Corey Anderson provided the finishing touches to take the Hobart Hurricanes home with 7 wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare.

Hobart Hurricanes kick off 2024 with a bang! The Hurricanes start the new year with a convincing win which lifts them off the bottom of the Big Bash League standings. The Sydney Thunder's bowlers gave a good account of themselves but they just did not have enough runs on the board. The Thunder have been handed another defeat and the road ahead gets tougher for Chris Green and Co.

SIX! Finishes things off in style. Hobart Hurricanes win the game with 7 wickets in hand. With 6 runs required, Nathan McAndrew bowls a short ball at the batter and Corey Anderson stands tall, takes his front foot out, and pulls the ball away, over deep mid-wicket for a flat six to win the game for his team.

FOUR!  Ben McDermott brings up his 7th FIFTY of BBL with a cracking boundary. Slower ball pitched up outside the off stump and Ben McDermott Drives the ball up and over the bowler's head for a superb boundary to end the over.

Slower ball outside the off stump line. Ben McDermott drives the ball hard but straight to covers.

Pitched up outside the off stump with pace. Corey Anderson drives the ball straight to covers who misfields the ball and gives away a single.

Bowls a low full toss outside the off stump line, very close to the wide line. Corey Anderson lets the ball go through.

bangs one in quick at the body of the batter. Corey Anderson looks to pull it hard but misses out on any contact with the ball.

Wide! Short but down leg for the batter to offer any shot at it. Wide called.

Pitched up on the off stump. Ben McDermott drives the ball straight to the right of mid off and runs a single.

Slower ball outside the off stump, from a fuller length. Ben McDermott launches the ball high up in the air but it falls in no man's land between covers and point. The batters pick up a single.