BBL 2016/17, Match 24 Review: Ben McDermott slams ton as Hurricanes clinch high-scoring contest

Ben McDermott smashed a brilliant century as the Hobart Hurricanes went ahead and ensured that their season was not done and dusted just yet. It was, in fact, some heroics with the bat this time around from Stuart Broad who went ahead and smashed the 16 runs required off the final over to ensure a win for the Hurricanes whose season has seemingly derailed from their winning start.

Playing in front of their home crowd at the Docklands Stadium, the Renegades got off to a fantastic start. Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch got off to a terrific start on what was seemingly a batting paradise and a relatively fast outfield.

While Harris was dismissed quite early on in his innings, it was quite clear that Aaron Finch who was able to smash the ball at will and also negotiate the bowling Sam Rainbird and Stuart Broad, both of whom did not manage to pick up wickets on the day.

Dan Christian eventually was the one who came in and got the wickets while D’Arcy Short, an unlikely bowler also scalped the wicket of the dangerous Aaron Finch who seemed to be looking good to get the century. Tom Cooper then made his way into the grand scheme of things as he was able to get the Renegades towards the 200-run mark, something not many were able to do.

Cooper, the star of the previous game as well made sure that he was in the best possible position to smash the ball to all parts of the ground as he smashed 53 off 27, including seven boundaries. Thisara Perera then went on to elude the bowlers of their wits with a massive effort of 28 as the Renegades concluded on 222.

The first two wickets of the Hurricanes fell pretty quickly as D’Arcy Short and skipper Tim Paine were dismissed in quick succession. However, despite all this, they were saved by the hard-hitting Ben McDermott and George Bailey.

The duo would go on to add an impressive 151 runs for the third wicket on the day as this would eventually prove to be one of the most impressive partnerships of the competition as well. Of the two, McDermott was perhaps the most impressive as he smashed his way towards an impressive century. His knock was Chris Lynn-esque as he smashed nine sixes in his compilation while Bailey smashed his way to 59.

Brad Hogg then went ahead and picked two wickets, something that proved to be openings on the day as a few wickets then fell in quick succession. Finally, it was Stuart Broad who smashed a boundary of the penultimate delivery and took a single of the final delivery as the Hurricanes coasted to an impressive win.

Brief Scores:

Melbourne Renegades: 222/4 in 20 overs (A Finch 63; J Reed 2/54)

Hobart Hurricanes: 223/8 in 20 overs (B McDermott 114; T Cooper 2/12)