The Hobart Hurricanes got their season back on track with a strong performance against the Sydney Thunder, with Ben McDermott steering the home side to victory with an unbeaten half century.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Nathan Ellis and his charges showed excellent intent and grit in the field from the get go, and had the Thunder on the backfoot early in the innings. Paddy Dooley removed the dangerous Alex Hales with help from Matt Wade behind the stumps, before a sharp effort from Mac Wright ran out Tom Kohler-Cadmore to have the visitors 2-21 in just over 3 overs.
Nikhil Chaudhary took a quality catch off his own bowling to take the wicket of Cameron Bancroft, snaring his first BBL wicket in the process. Chris Jordan struck next, and then again a few overs later to have the Hurricanes well in control at 5-81. Nathan Ellist trapped Daniel Sams plumb in front before Chaudhary did the same to Nathan McAndrew - and suddenly the Thunder were 7 wickets down with five overs remaining. On the brink of disaster, skipper Chris Green took it upon himself to pull the Thunder back into the contest - and blasted a brilliant 33* off just 17 balls to push the Thunder to a very decent 8-150 by the end of the innings, given the circumstances they were in.
Matthew Wade and Caleb Jewell kicked things off for the Hurricanes, and added 47 runs for the first wicket before Wade was caught in the deep. Jewell looked in excellent touch, but unfortunately fell in the next over, adding 31 runs off just 20 balls to kickstart the innings. At 2-47, the Hurricanes had faltered slightly, but the in form Mac Wright and returning Ben McDermott immediately made sure the home side regained control. Wright continued his wonderful run of form, playing controlled cricket and handing the majority of strike to McDermott, who looked like he hadn't missed a beat despite two games on the sidelines. The power hitter smashed a variety of boundaries straight and square of the wicket, and by the time Wright was caught in the deep off Daniel Sams, the 'Canes were all but home at 3-132.
McDermott raised the bat for his fifty, before Corey Anderson walked down the wicket and smashed a six over midwicket to win the game, with Hobart winning by 7 wickets at 3-151 with 11 balls remaining.