Wade’s Last-Ball Six Seals Hurricanes’ Home Final; Heat and Australia Sweat Over Kuhnemann Injury
The result also keeps Strikers, Scorchers, and Renegades’ hopes alive. Matthew Wade smashed a six on the final ball, leading the Hobart Hurricanes to an incredible chase of 202 runs against the Brisbane Heat. This win was crucial, as it kept the finals hopes alive for three other teams.
Caleb Jewell and Mitchell Owen gave the Hurricanes a flying start on the batter-friendly Gabba pitch. After a few stumbles toward the end, they needed 11 runs in the final over. With one run needed off the last ball, Wade hit Xavier Bartlett for a massive six-over deep square leg, sealing the win.
This was the Hurricanes’ seventh consecutive victory, securing them a home final. For the Heat, the loss was disappointing, despite Marnus Labuschagne’s stellar knock of 77 runs off 44 balls in his return to the BBL. To make matters worse, their left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann injured his thumb, which might affect Australia’s Test plans for Sri Lanka.
The result kept the faint finals chances alive for the Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, and Melbourne Renegades, who would have been eliminated if the Heat had won.
Owen Shines Early, Wade Seals the Deal
The Hurricanes made a bold move by promoting Mitchell Owen to open the innings this season, and it paid off again. Owen attacked aggressively in the powerplay, smashing three sixes to help the Hurricanes race to 47 runs in just four overs.
During the excitement, a small fire broke out in the DJ booth, causing a brief delay. After the fans nearby were evacuated, Owen resumed his assault, hitting three more sixes before being dismissed for a quick 44 off 20 balls.
After Charlie Wakim was stumped for a duck, Jewell and Nikhil Chaudhary built an 81-run partnership to steady the ship. Jewell’s stylish strokes through the covers stood out as the Hurricanes regained control. However, both players were dismissed during the Power Surge, setting up a tense final over.
Wade and Jake Doran faced Bartlett’s clever slower balls. With one delivery left and one run needed, Wade smashed a quicker ball into the stands, completing an unforgettable win with huge implications for the BBL standings.
Heat’s Fielding Woes and Kuhnemann’s Injury
Brisbane Heat struggled with fielding throughout the game, dropping several key catches. Nathan McSweeney dropped three, including tough chances off Owen and Jewell. However, McSweeney made amends with a brilliant runout and a sharp catch later on. Mitchell Swepson also pulled off a spectacular grab to dismiss Tim David.
Unfortunately, the Heat suffered another setback when Matthew Kuhnemann injured his thumb in the final moments of the match. The injury happened when Wade struck a powerful drive, leaving the Heat with concerns for their spinner’s availability in upcoming matches.
Marcus Bean’s Memorable Debut
Hobart Hurricanes faced a blow when Billy Stanlake was ruled out for the season due to a shoulder injury. They called up Marcus Bean, a 21-year-old left-arm quick, for his first professional game.
Despite a nervous start, Bean made an impact immediately by dismissing McSweeney in his first over. His celebration showed how much the moment meant to him. Bean bowled with pace, hitting 135 kph consistently and troubling the batters with his length. He finished his debut with solid figures of 1 for 32 in four overs, proving he could handle the pressure.
Labuschagne’s Lone Star Performance
There was plenty of excitement around Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, who returned for their only BBL match of the season. Khawaja started with a bang, hitting a boundary on the first ball and a scooped six shortly after. But his innings ended quickly when Nathan Ellis deceived him with a slower ball.
Matthew Renshaw then joined Labuschagne for a 69-run partnership. Renshaw showed his improved power-hitting, scoring a quick 40 before being run out while pushing for a second run.
After a lull, the Heat exploded during the Power Surge, scoring 33 runs in two overs. Labuschagne anchored the innings with a mix of textbook shots and inventive strokes, bringing up his half-century in just 31 balls. He hit a personal best BBL score before being dismissed on the final ball of the innings.
Labuschagne’s effort wasn’t enough to secure a win, but it was a reminder of his growing skill in T20 cricket.
