After a two-round win over the in-form Brisbane Heat in Launceston, Tim David didn’t get nervous as the Hobart Hurricanes missed a slim chance to reach the final.
On a two-layer surface that proved difficult to hit, the Heat endured a seesaw chase of 121 and came onto the course 103 for 4 in 17 overs.
But they stumbled and a dramatic finale ensued, in which Heat 10 runs saw him third and home he was knocked out to win the final. David fought enough against James Bazley. The Hurricanes need the Melbourne Stars to beat the Sydney Thunder, and a victory in the latter game on Wednesday could advance them to the finals.
Meredith and Ellis star before David’s latest exploits
The Hurricanes’ chances of reaching the finals were few and far between. Their hopes were on star players Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis. They promised to menac an early burst when Meredith Usman removed Kawaja and Ellis knocked down the stump of Marnus Labschagne with a Jewel Delivery to revive the Hurricane.
The Hurricanes were suddenly on the front row as the Heat lost wickets in back-to-back deliveries in six overs as Matthew Renshaw was passed by a brilliant gather and a direct throw from Zach Crowley.
After Meredith’s first three-over spell, the Hurricanes became less of a threat, starring in the breakout season but apparently losing left-arm spinner Paddy Dooley, who was sidelined due to a groin injury.
While Jimmy Pearson and Sam Hayne stood their ground, Meredith made a desperate comeback in the 15th over, though his final scorching delivery caught Hayne’s right wrist. There was no breakthrough.As the hurricane season drew to a close, Ellis returned and snatched the keys from Pearson. After the front lines were thrown into chaos, the fate of the Hurricane rested with David. He helped chase off non-forward Matthew Kuehnemann in his third delivery before the twist ensued when David rolled a full throw and Bazley hit for six. He rallied to hold off Bazley in his last two deliveries to keep the Hurricanes season alive, at least temporarily.
Heat decays upon death
The Heat will regret missing out on third place. They struggled early on before a collected Pearson and Hayne formed a 73-run partnership to dig the Heat out of the hole. The Heat’s most reliable hitter in their early-season struggles, Pearson has amassed a wealth of experience in him, and Hayne’s clever side leg shots have shown why he’s become a vital part of the middleweight division. .
Hayne also showed toughness and stayed in the bend after Meredith’s hit, but soon fell 18 runs short in his heat. Pearson and Bazley could not be heroes, as the Heat would be his 4th or he would be 5th.
Swepson continues strong recovery ahead of India tour
Legspinner Mitchell Swepson was dropped early in the season and failed to take a wicket in the first five innings he bowled.
But he’s been hitting back hard lately, bowling particularly cleanly with a much-needed tonic ahead of Swepson’s crucial test his tour in India. He continued with a powerful rebound with a menacing spell to tie up the Hurricanes’ powerful hitter at middleover.
Swepson caused a sharp turn, but his only wicket was fairly accidental. The long jump slowed down a struggling Ben McDermott and was caught by diving Marnuth Labuchagne.
He finished his 17 for 1 allowing just one margin on his 4 over spell and Seaman’s Michael Discipline saw his nether take his booty with his 4 wickets his hole I played my part in one attack.