The defending champions produced another masterclass at home to stay perched at the top of the table. They now sit on 12 points and are all but assured of a place in the next round.
The Strikers, on the other hand, have made things difficult for themselves. They remain in fifth place and, with only three games left, can now reach a maximum of 12 points. Liam Scott continued to be one of the finds of the tournament. He remained unbeaten on 91, but his effort was not enough to take the Strikers anywhere close to the Hurricanes’ total.
For now, this is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Manan Mehta and Raju Khariya. Goodbye!!!
Nathan Ellis (POTM & Hobart Hurricanes Captain): "(Thoughts on the match) Everyone bowled well. We just wanted to keep taking wickets. Credit to our spinner again. I mean they have been outstanding all tournament this year. Pretty world class spinners. Unfortunately, we lose Rehan in the back end but luckily, we have Rishad for the whole tournament. So yeah, great night for everyone. Actually, I feel silly holding the award. Probably 4-5 names who should be getting it before me.
(Impact of spinners) It has become a trend when you are playing on good wickets. I mean Bellerive has always been a good wicket and changing the pace and having a bit of mystery around our bowlers has helped us in the last few years. I mean I can't praise them enough. They bowl well; they train well and just execute it for us. As a captain it is very pleasing.
(Bowling group efforts) I think it is the process that has worked really well for us in this tournament. I mean a guy like Riley Meredith. He has bowled really well in the tournament but may not have got the wickets he deserved. So very happy for him to get a couple today. Happy for Nikhil Chaudhary as well to start the way he did as well yeah. Very pleasing night.
(Preparations for next game against the Sixers) Important thing to note. We finish today, travel tomorrow and play a day game. So, it is a very short turnaround for us. Probably the thing for us to make sure is that everyone is not too sore and sorry. Just doing the right things. With two games left in the tournament it is paramount to keep fresh and keep everyone fit in body and mind. Yeah, the Sixers are a good team. They play well at home. Don't know what the wicket will bring at the SCG just after a test match there. Just got to be fiery."
Player of the Match: Nathan Ellis
4:51 PM IST, 10:21 PM Local Time: The Cane Train was right on track at the Bellerive Oval as the Hobart Hurricanes brushed aside Adelaide Strikers by 37 runs to stay on top of the points table. The path to the next round becomes tougher for the Strikers.
Earlier in the game, Hobart Hurricanes were sent into bat by Adelaide Strikers. Mitchell Owen got the Hurricanes off to a flying start. He made 33 off just 9 balls before losing his wicket.
Rehan Ahmed and Tim Ward then added 38 for the second wicket before the former lost his wicket.
Ward followed him back to the pavilion soon. Nikhil Chaudhary chipped in with a cameo, scoring 23 off 17. Matthew Wade (27 off 19) and Mac Wright (20 off 17) provided the finishing touches to the innings to take the Hurricanes closer to 180-run mark.
Luke Wood, Jamie Overton both picked up two wickets each. Tabraiz Shamsi and Lloyd Pope got one apiece.
In reply, the Strikers were rattled by Riley Meredith early on as he knocked over Matt Short and Mackenzie Harvey in his first over.
Nathan Ellis then chipped in with a two-wicket over himself, removing Chris Lynn and Jason Sangha, who perished in the third over.
Wickets kept tumbling at one end while Liam Scott fought a lone battle. He remained not out on 91 off 58 but got little to no support from the other end as the Strikers could only manage 141/9 in 20 overs.
Rishad Hossain was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 26. Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis got two each, while Rehan Ahmed got one.
OVER 20
Adelaide Strikers
141/9
Tabraiz Shamsi
1(2)
Liam Scott
91(58)
Mitchell Owen
0-15(1.0)
19.6 M Owen to L Scott
1 Fullish ball outside off stump, 112.2 kph, Scott pulls it to the deep midwicket fielder for a single. Scott ends with 91*. Hobart Hurricanes win by 37 runs!
19.5 M Owen to L Scott
6 SIXXX!!! He has connected this one! Short ball on the stumps, Scott pulls it hard into the crowd over deep square leg for a massive hit!
19.4 M Owen to L Scott
0 Length ball outside off stump, 113.7 kph, Scott swings hard at it. The ball flies towards the sweeper fielder. No run taken.