An incredible blitz from the Hobart Hurricanes’ opening duo has all but ended the Sydney Thunder’s BBL|15 finals hopes, despite a record knock from captain David Warner.
The Australian great wound back the clock to bludgeon 130 not out off just 65 balls, in what is the highest score in his franchise’s history and the equal-fifth biggest score in the Big Bash’s 15-year existence.
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Unfortunately, the Thunder’s target of 206 wasn’t anywhere near enough as Tim Ward (90 off 49) and Mitch Owen (45 off 18) put on 108 for the first wicket to derail their hopes of a second season win.
Owen departed in the ninth over after their 45-ball partnership, but the damage was already all but done as Ward continued on his merry way to a maiden Big Bash half-century that is sure to attract the attention of international T20 franchises.
The stylish left-hand has threatened to have a breakout innings in recent matches, in a controlled cameo that saw him find the boundary 13 times — three of which finished over the rope.
Daniel Sams (3/36 off four overs) was the hosts’ best bowler, but it wasn’t enough to see the Thunder slip to their fifth loss of the season in six games.
6-7?! Warner scores second BBL Ton | 00:20
Warner’s incredible century didn’t come without some early struggles though, as Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas both departed for golden ducks on the first two balls of the game.
After consolidating with Sam Billings (20 off 24), Warner was dropped on 26 before being finding further fortunate after a cut shot forward of the wicket fell within a metre of two Hurricanes fielders on 66.
“That was special, you can’t play any better than that,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said during the innings break.
“Remember, they were 2/0, so the pressure was on and the Thunder desperately needed a score. They have to win, and Davey Warner’s just delivered a masterclass of how to play in T20 cricket.
“He had a bit of finesse, he ran between the wickets hard, but it was his power down the ground (and) through mid-wicket.”
Australian great Mark Waugh added: “It was some hitting, wasn’t it? All over the ground he used his touch, got under the ball and hit it aerial when he needed to.
“There was some pretty good bowling in that Hurricanes line-up too with (Nathan) Ellis, (Riley) Meredith and, and (Chris) Jordan — some quality international bowlers, but he put them to the sword.”
Remarkably, Warner saw batting partner Nic Maddinson selflessly retire out on 30 with two overs to go in the Thunder’s innings.
Warner was handed a fortunate life after being dropped on 26, before further luck came on 66 after a cut shot forward of the wicket fell within a metre of two Hurricanes fielders.
It was the left hander’s second Big Bash hundred, and first in over 14 years for the Thunder. His final score puts him in rare air across the competition’s 15-year history, becoming just the fifth player to ever make 130 or more in an innings.
‘Start Again?!’ – 2 Wickets in 2 Balls | 00:57
He joins Glenn Maxwell (154*), Marcus Stoinis (147*), Josh Brown (140) and Matthew Wade (130*) in the 130+ club.
Warner’s ‘six-seven’ celebration upon making his hundred left the younger audience in western Sydney in stitches; a celebration done specifically to his daughters in the crowd.
Speaking to Fox Cricket as he walked off the field at the innings break, Warner said: “It feels good to put 200 on the board. If you kept your shape and you were positive, you could get 200.”
The Thunder made 2/206 after their horrific start, which saw them lose both Matthew Gilkes and wunderkind Sam Konstas for golden ducks on the very first two balls of the match.
MADDINSON’S 739-DAY WAIT OVER AFTER WRETCHED RUN
Not since Boxing Day in 2023 had Nic Maddinson played a Big Bash match — until tonight.
The 34-year-old was parachuted into the Sydney Thunder’s playing XI for the must-win match at ENGIE Stadium, marking an important milestone for Maddinson after a brutal last two years.
A broken thumb last summer ruled the left-hander out of BBL|14, before an unfortunate bout of testicular cancer forced him to undergo chemotherapy over the winter.
Speaking to Fox Cricket pre-game, Maddinson was grateful to debut on Saturday night for the Thunder, after previous BBL stints with the Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades.
“It’s nice to be out there, and I’m obviously grateful for the opportunity to be at the Thunder,” Maddinson said.
“It was disappointing to get injured last year, but I didn’t realise until I was speaking to someone this afternoon … and they mentioned it was bang-on two years, so a few nerves about, that’s for sure!”
“Everything’s going well, every three months or so (I get checked up) for the first couple of years. It’s all in good health at the moment … I’ve been back playing for a few months now.”
Australian great Mark Waugh added pre-game: “It’s great to see him back fit and well, and when he’s at his best, he is a very dangerous player.”
Stunningly, Maddinson retired out on 30 at the end of the Thunder’s 18th over to allow big-hitting all-rounder Daniel Sams a shot at closing out their side’s innings.
Sydney Thunder final XI: David Warner (c), Matthew Gilkes, Sam Konstas, Sam Billings (wk), Nic Maddinson, Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Tom Andrews, Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar
Hobart Hurricanes final XI: Mitch Owen, Tim Ward, Rehan Ahmed, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Will Prestwidge, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith
Re-live our coverage of the Thunder vs Hurricanes clash in our blog below! Can’t see the blog? Click here