In a compelling Big Bash League (BBL) encounter, Sydney Sixers secured their second win of the season, triumphing over Hobart Hurricanes despite an injury setback to the Hurricanes’ key player, Riley Meredith.
The Hurricanes suffered a blow as Riley Meredith, plagued by injuries, appeared to strain his side during the game. This unfortunate incident occurred as the Daniel Hughes-led Sydney Sixers chased down the Hurricanes’ total of 135 for 8, clinching a notable six-wicket victory with just four balls to spare at Launceston on Monday night.
Daniel Hughes emerged as the standout performer, anchoring the Sixers’ chase with an unbeaten 60 from 50 deliveries. Filling in for Steven Smith, who departed the squad for the upcoming Test against Pakistan, Hughes showcased his prowess, forming a crucial 47-run partnership alongside Moises Henriques (20 off 24 balls).
Jordan Silk also contributed with 23 runs before being dismissed in the penultimate over. With Sydney requiring seven runs from six deliveries, Hughes sealed the win emphatically, smashing a towering leg-side six off Nathan Ellis. Tom Curran further solidified the victory with a boundary through the covers.
The injury setback to Meredith occurred in the early stages of the chase when he signaled discomfort halfway through the third over after delivering a 152kph delivery. This unfortunate incident marked his return to domestic cricket following a side strain suffered in a one-day cup game for Tasmania in September. Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan revealed that Meredith would undergo scans on Tuesday to assess the extent of the injury.
Earlier in the game, Hurricanes’ opener Caleb Jewell provided a promising start before the team faced a setback post the powerplay. Tom Curran initiated the damage by dismissing Jewell, while Ben Dwarshuis claimed crucial wickets of Sam Hain and Tim David in his first over.
Young all-rounder Jack Edwards made a significant impact with the ball, securing two wickets for 18 runs in his four overs, including a stunning one-handed diving catch by wicketkeeper Josh Philippe to dismiss Ben McDermott.
Despite the early setbacks, imports Chris Jordan and Corey Anderson offered resistance, stabilizing the Hurricanes’ innings. Former New Zealand all-rounder Anderson emerged as the standout bowler for the Hurricanes, delivering a career-best performance, securing figures of 2 for 10.
The Hurricanes faced a challenging innings, ultimately leading to their defeat against a determined Sydney Sixers side, marking an eventful encounter in the BBL.
