Twitter Reactions: Short and Meredith help Hobart Hurricanes gain back winning momentum

After winning five matches in a row in this edition’s Big Bash League (BBL), Hobart Hurricanes lost against Melbourne Renegades. However, the team, captained by Matthew Wade, made a stupendous comeback and won by 59 runs against Melbourne Stars at the renowned MCG. In the meantime, the Stars slipped to the bottom of the points table after losing their third match in a row.

Short dictates terms

The Stars opted to bowl first after winning the toss and the decision didn’t quite work out as the Hurricanes racked up 185 for two wickets. The opening batsmen- Wade and Short- started cautiously and scored only 40 runs in the first six overs. The duo pressed the accelerator and put on a stand of 95 runs from 69 balls. Leg-spinner Tom O’Connell picked up Wade after he scored 41 from 38 deliveries.

However, Short accomplished his half-century in 33 balls. He was unlucky to not reach his century and remained not out on 96 runs from 57 balls with eight fours and four hits into the stands. In his stand of 43 runs with Jake Doran, Short was the aggressor as Doran added seven runs before being nipped out by Liam Bowe. Ben McDermott cleared the ropes a couple of times to notch a breezy 27 from 19 balls.

Meredith shines with the ball

Johan Botha accounted for Evan Gulbis’ wicket early in the Stars’ run-chase. Nevertheless, Ben Dunk and Nick Larkin steadied the ship and cobbled together a 35-run partnership off 33 deliveries. Unfortunately, both perished in a space of seven balls. While fast bowler Riley Meredith removed Larkin for 16, part-timer Short got rid of the ominous-looking Dunk, who scored 20 runs from 15 with two fours and a six.

Thereafter, the Stars couldn’t find any momentum as the Hurricanes’ bowlers kept chipping in with regular wickets. Seb Gotch, Dwayne Bravo, Jonathan Merlo and Liam Plunkett got into double figures, but couldn’t score quickly enough. Meredith shone with the leather yet again and picked up four wickets, giving away only 21 runs. Botha and Jofra Archer dismissed a couple of batsmen each.

Here is how Twitter reacted

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