Hobart Hurricanes solidify top-spot with big win

Rishad Hossain (3-26), Riley Meredith (2-16) and Nathan Ellis (2-7) led the way as Hobart Hurricanes solidified their top spot on the points table with their sixth win in eight BBL games this season.

After Hurricanes posted 178/6, the pace duo blew the chasers away with four wickets by the third over. Middle-order batter Liam Scott led a lone fight with an unbeaten 91, but it wasn't enough as nine batters around him finished with single-digit scores.

The chase was a non-starter for the Strikers. Meredith started with a double-wicket maiden over, removing Matthew Short and Mackenzie Harvey. In the next over, Ellis dismissed Chris Lynn via DRS for a caught-behind. In the same over, Ellis also had Jason Sangha caught behind to leave the Strikers 8 for 4.

Once the two pacers were done, Rishad took over. He dismissed Harry Manenti in his first over. Rishad then bowled Jamie Overton with a delivery that drew him out for a stumping in the ninth over. In the 10th, Rehan Ahmed bowled Jerrssis Wadia to reduce the chasing team to 62/7.

Luke Wood and Scott put together a partnership before Rishad dismissed Wood. Scott continued, hitting a couple of sixes, but finished unbeaten on 91 in a lost cause.

Earlier, the Hurricanes' batters built a defendable total. Mitchell Owen smashed a nine-ball 33 in a PowerPlay where the Hurricanes amassed 51/1 in four overs.

After a stand between Tim Ward and Owen, Rehan and Ward added 38. Partnerships followed between Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott, and then Matthew Wade and Macalister Wright, who added 50, guiding the side to their total.

Brief Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 178/6 in 20 overs (Mitchell Owen 33, Rehan Ahmed 29, Matthew Wade 27; Jamie Overton 2-13, Luke Wood 2-48) beat Adelaide Strikers 141/9 in 20 overs (Liam Scott 91; Rishad Hossain 3-26, Nathan Ellis 2-7, Riley Meredith 2-17) by 37 runs.