Twitter Reactions: George Bailey and James Faulkner steer Hurricanes in a last-over humdinger

The Big Bash League (BBL) has been different this time around. Not many matches have gone close this time but it was different when the Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes locked horns at the Perth Stadium. Both the teams fought tooth and nail until the end before James Faulkner stole all the limelight by scoring 16 runs in three balls of the last over sensationally to stamp their authority at the top of the points table.

Chasing the total of 178 runs, the Hurricanes lost their skipper Matthew Wade early and the onus was now on D’Arcy Short who has been the Man of the tournament so far. But even he left the team with only 40 runs on the board. Though the debutant Jewell slammed 32 off just 20 balls even he was dismissed to leave the team reeling at 55/3. This is where George Bailey took control of the things.

He first stitched a partnership of 38 runs with Ben McDermott and then of 57 runs with Faulkner to keep his team in the reckoning. Bailey’s 69-run knock of 39 balls didn’t let the Scorchers run away with the game. But with 25 needing off 15 balls, Bailey was snaffled by Andrew Tye and the home side was favourite to clinch the contest in the last over with 16 needed.

However, Faulkner had other ideas. He slammed 6,4,6 to one of the best death overs bowlers in the world, Tye, and won the seventh game of the season for the Hurricanes.

Whiteman propels Scorchers

Earlier, it was Sam Whiteman who helped the hosts recover from 7/3. He scored 68 off just 44 balls but lack of support from the other end meant that they were always finishing with an under-par score. They lost three wickets in the 15th over to get reduced to 117/7 and things looked bleak for the Scorchers.

But Nathan Coulter-Nile and Andrew Tye stitched a brilliant stand as the Perth side added 60 runs in the last five overs. While the former remained unbeaten on 31 off just 15 balls, Tye slammed 25 runs during his 12-ball stay at the crease with two sixes and the same number of fours.

At the halfway stage, the game looked in balance but after bossing the second innings throughout, Tye, who added valuable runs with the bat, gave away 16 in just three balls to let the match slip from the Scorchers’ hands.

Here’s how Twitter reacted during the close game:

What a sensational finish this from James Faulkner. Glad that Bailey's magnificent knock didn't go in vain. 🔥🔥 #BBL2018

— Saroj Karki (@sarojkarki77) January 18, 2019

1st picked for the World Cup team should be James Faulkner.

— Shayno . the future is bright . (@shayne1963) January 18, 2019

The @HurricanesBBL and James Faulkner (The Finisher) were superb. #BBL08 #welldone

— Sports Tragic (@Sports_Tragic1) January 18, 2019

Wow, that was some hitting from James Faulkner. @HurricanesBBL just getting things done again #BBL08

— Lachie Young (@lachie_young) January 18, 2019

What a game of cricket!! @HurricanesBBL James Faulkner how good is he?! #thefinisher

— Adam Haken (@AdzHake) January 18, 2019

Remember the name! #jamesfaulkner #BBL08

— Tim Lowell (@timlowell) January 18, 2019

James Faulkner started the game brilliantly and finished even better!

Absolutely awful from AJ Tye at the death. Bowled three balls in the slot. 16 needed off the final over, done in three balls.

That's a tough loss to take for Scorchers. Hobart keep flying.#BBL #BBL08

— CricBlog (@cric_blog) January 18, 2019

James Faulkner has done that all his career. The ultimate innings finisher👏🏼👏🏼

— Dan Bartlett (@dan1bartlett) January 18, 2019

Fair to say, James Faulkner – WOW #finisher 👍🏼

— Paul Holmes (@PJHomer18) January 18, 2019

James Faulkner hitting Andrew Tye for 16 runs in 3 balls 😂 #BBL

— Sriram (@SriramARR) January 18, 2019

Out of nowhere from James Faulkner! 16 off 3 and the @HurricanesBBL don't even need the full over. #BBL08

— Andrew Jackson (@Andrew_Jacko) January 18, 2019

Wow James Faulkner was looking too rusty and suddenly finishes off with a 6,4,6 #BBL08

— Vishnu Koundinya (@vishnucool37) January 18, 2019

James Faulkner is back! #BBL08

— Matt Dawson (@mattddawson) January 18, 2019

6 Balls 16 Runs to win.

Andrew Tye the Bowler

James Faulkner – 6 4 6 🔥 #BBL08

— Aditya Yellanki (@adityayellanki) January 18, 2019

James Faulkner can barely hit it, then goes 6 4 6 off the first three in the final over to win 😂#BBL08

— ethan james (@ethos03) January 18, 2019

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