Hobart Hurricanes has delivered the performance of a lifetime, securing their very first Big Bash League title by thrashing the Sydney Thunder during the final match held at Bellerive Oval on Monday night. A capacity crowd witnessed history as Mitchell Owen smashed his way to a stunning 108 runs off just 42 balls, marking one of the most electrifying innings the competition has ever seen.
The Hurricanes were set the challenge of chasing 183 runs to claim victory, and they accomplished the feat with 35 balls to spare. Matthew Wade supported Owen impressively, contributing 32 runs off 17 balls, as the team put on quite the show. The highlight came when Ben McDermott struck the winning runs with a deft ramp shot over the wicketkeeper, igniting vibrant purple fireworks over Tasmania's capital to celebrate the team's monumental victory.
Entering the final as the underdogs, the Thunder had posted 182 runs after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Their innings boasted a 97-run opening partnership between Jason Sangha and David Warner, which had many fans believing they could secure the championship. Yet, things took a turn when Owen began to dismantle the Thunder bowlers with remarkable ferocity.
Owen's dominance was manifest early on as he raised his bat for fifty runs before the fourth over had concluded. Finishing his innings with 11 sixes — setting the record for the most sixes in a BBL final — and six fours, Owen reached three figures just shy of breaking the record for the fastest century overall, matching Craig Simmons' historic 39-ball century from 2014.
Ricky Ponting, the former Test captain and head of strategy for the Hurricanes, couldn't contain his pride over the team's achievement, stating, "Take a bow you boys in purple," celebrating the unprecedented milestone. Wade echoed this sentiment, praising Owen: "That was next level hitting, which made it pretty easy for us at the end."
The Thunder had entered the match with high hopes but soon faced difficulty when their innings began to falter. Warner's dismissal came from Nathan Ellis, who claimed two wickets in two balls during the 11th over — one of which was Warner himself, caught out after edging to Wade. Ellis was on fire, claiming 3 wickets for just 23 runs, and sealing his place as one of the finalists' standout bowlers.
Riley Meredith was also pivotal, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs, and his brilliant bowling during the latter stages put pressure on the Thunder, restricting their consistent flow of runs. "I've been a fan of the Hurricanes since BBL1," Meredith expressed, showcasing his deep-rooted support for the team he now proudly plays for.
This triumph symbolizes not just the team's growth but also marks them as the team to beat moving forward. After finishing the regular season winning the minor premiership following seven victories, Hobart capped off their season with two straight triumphs at home, culminating in this glorious title run.
The Sydney Thunder, after their commendable start to the final, were left to ponder their missed chances as the Hurricanes celebration began. It was another season without the ultimate prize for the Thunder, cementing the Hurricanes' historic win as the final story of BBL14.
Hobart's exhilarating victory leaves the Melbourne Stars as the only team yet to claim the title, making the Hurricanes' moment not only celebratory but also historic for the BBL competition. The capacity crowd and fans across Tasmania rejoiced, heralding the victory as one for the ages.