Hobart’s Big Bash League defence has copped a big blow with star Tim David limping off, unable to see out the four-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers on Friday night.
David had been in outstanding form before he pulled up lame mid-run and immediately signalled to the bench late in his side’s successful chase of 151 at Perth Stadium.
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With veteran Matt Wade already out with injury, David was taken straight off the field as his side needed 48 runs with five overs to play.
“He’s in trouble here,” Aussie great Brett Lee said.
“He’s such a key player. They can’t afford to risk him. I know the game’s important but his longevity in this tournament is.”
While Hobart were still able to chase down Perth’s 8-150 with three balls to spare, the David injury soured the win.
David’s exit on 42 off just 28 balls came only minutes after he was dropped twice in near identical circumstances.
Laurie Evans and Ashton Turner were involved in both chances as first Evans drop kicked the ball for four and the second Turner made contact with his teammate who had taken the catch – but spilt it as a result.
“Can you believe it,” Mike Hussey said of the second drop which saw Turner and Evans collide.
Those dropped chances came after an expensive Aaron Hardie over in the 12th where he went for 17 – including six wides to start.
Hardie’s night didn’t get any better from there as he conceded 16 runs off the penultimate over to leave the visitors just four to get off the final six balls.Earlier in the night, the Hurricanes were clinical in the field as they restricted the home side to 8-150 – despite the best efforts of Kiwi import Finn Allen.
Allen was at his brilliant best in his knock of 43 off just 23 balls – but he had little support around him.
The Scorchers will lament another failure to star Mitch Marsh (16 off 13) and an inability to turn over strike late in the contest as their innings ground to a halt twice when sent in to bat.
WHAT CAN MITCH MARSH DO?
He was the big name Perth were adamant would help their title charge as Mitch Marsh committed to an entire BBL campaign.
But so far, Marsh has failed to deliver.
Despite red-hot form for Australia, Marsh had scored 0 and 3 heading into Friday’s BBL Boxing Day blockbuster.
The all-rounder looked promising with two fours in the opening over before a massive six off Riley Meredith got the Perth crowd up and firing.
But that was all the joy Marsh would have as he spooned Meredith to Tim David a few balls later.
“He knew as soon as he hit it,” Mike Hussey said of Marsh’s dismissal.
“That’s a really big wicket … no timing in the shot at all.”
Fellow Aussie great Brett Lee said it was clear Marsh was “disappointed” losing his wicket.
Marsh’s dismissal ensures he’s now averaging just 6.3 this BBL series.
THE OVER THAT LIFTED HOBART
The Hurricanes were 3-67 at the end of the 11th over as momentum was with Perth.
Until Aaron Hardie stepped up to bowl the 12th.
He opened with a wide and then conceded five more wides next delivery as he tried to avoid the Tim David hitting arc.
“This is a tough start for AH – Hasn’t bowled a legal ball yet and he’s already gone for six runs,” Mike Hussey lamented.
Hardie then conceded back to back boundaries – including one that was initially a dropped chance then kicked over the rope by Laurie Evans as Ashton Turner almost collided with him.
“He’s drop kicked it for four!” Anthony Hudson said.
“They’ve managed to change the momentum of this game the Hobart Hurricanes,” Mike Hussey added.
“Now they’ve got it into a position where they’ll feel confident again.”
Turner and Evans fluffed another chance to dismiss Tim David seven balls later.
This time Evans had the catch – but the ball was knocked free when Turner collided with his teammate.
“He’s tripped over him! He had that and unfortunately (Turner) has tripped over his legs,” Brett Lee said.
“Can you believe it,” Hussey added.
And from there, the Hurricanes were in complete control.
Hardie was given another chance with the ball – this time the penultimate over.
And once again, he struggled. Coughing up 16 runs, it left Hobart just four runs to get in the final over.
INJURY MARS BIG WIN
Hobart now sit equal with the Melbourne Stars on three wins – the only BBL teams to do so.
But already missing Matt Wade, the hamstring injury to Tim David has soured their big win away from home.
David pulled up lame mid-single and immediately gestured to the bench. He took no further part in the match.
“That’s like sliding doors,” Brett Lee said.
“If he gets caught (in either dropped catch by Laurie Evans), he doesn’t do his hammy.”
Aussie great Mike Hussey questioned whether David could stay out at the crease and just deliver on one leg.
But with his exit confirmed, it appears the hamstring injury is worse than first feared.
SQUADS
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Bryce Jackson, Mitchell Marsh, Joel Paris, Corey Rocchiccioli
In: Corey Rocchiccioli. Out: Jhye Richardson (Australian Test Squad)
Hobart Hurricanes: Nathan Ellis (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jackson Bird, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Rishad Hossain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwidge, Billy Stanlake, Tim Ward, Mac Wright
In: Mac Wright. Out: Matthew Wade (injured)