BBL 5 Match 15 Review: Bailey, bowlers star in the Hurricanes win

A brilliant half-century from George Bailey steered Hobart Hurricanes to a competitive 163/6 in their match against Sydney Thunder at the Bellerive Oval. Bailey (56 not out from 29 balls) and Jon Wells (27 from 28 balls) came together with the Hurricanes in trouble at 67/4 in the 10th over having been sent in to bat. The Sydney outfit was in a strong position at this stage after a stunning catch from Andre Russell removed Dan Christian.

Bailey and Wells rebuilt the innings with a 58-run stand before Wells was caught behind off the bowling of Jacques Kallis, with Bailey pushing on to finish not out after 20 overs. The former Australia limited-overs captain received a blow to the already injured thumb on his right hand early in his innings, but he swung his bat in the final stages as he and Darren Sammy (18 off 10 balls) took 33 from the last two overs. Clint McKay was the destroyer early on for the Thunder, taking three wickets in his opening two overs and finishing with 4/28. Almost all of Hobart’s top order made starts, but none apart from Bailey and Wells were able to push on to produce an innings of substance.

The home team’s spearhead, Shaun Tait started the proceedings in a dramatic fashion. His fast and accurate bowling accounted for two huge wickets in the first over of the Thunder’s innings. Jacques Kallis and Shane Watson failed to open their accounts and were sent packing by Tait. Skipper Mike Hussey and Aiden Blizzard took the score to 63 before the latter was dismissed by Jake Reed for 23.

Hussey continued his superb form by playing some delightful shots. He brought up his half-century off 35 balls in the 13^th over of the innings. Ben Rohrer’s 20 off 18 was ended by Cameron Boyce in the 15^th over with the score on 113. Andre Russell hit Boyce for a massive six however perished in the same over as Wells took a brilliant forward diving catch running in from deep cover.

With 27 needed off 18 balls and Hussey still at the crease, Thunder would have fancied their chances, however, Jake Reed over proved a pivotal point of the match. The first ball of the 18th over witnessed the dismissal of Hussey who went after scoring a brilliant 71 off 51 balls. His knock included 10 fours and one maximum. The classy left-hander went for a slog across the line only managing to top edge the ball towards deep square-leg. Clive Rose ran around the ropes and realising the ball was getting away, adjusted to pull off a good low catch.

The next ball saw an outstanding piece of fielding by Dan Christian that found Chris Hartley short of his crease. Chris Green’s wicket off the 3^rd ball of the over was thanks to Tim Paine who flew full length to his right to pouch the ball like a goalkeeper. Gurinder Sandhu’s four brought the equation down to 21 off 12 however Tait cleaned him up in the 19^th over to end the Thunder hopes. Christian conceded just 7 off the last over giving the home team a win by 11 runs.

Brief Scores:

Hobart Hurricanes: 163/6 in 20 overs (G Bailey 56*, C McKay 4/28)

Sydney Thunder: 152/9 in 20 overs (M Hussey 71, S Tait 3/16)

Man of the match: Shaun Tait