Tim David has fired for the second straight match to steer the Hobart Hurricanes to a convincing win over the Sydney Thunder and top spot on the Big Bash League table. Hobart ran down Sydney's 6-164 at Ninja Stadium on Friday night with 19 balls to spare, with David finishing unbeaten on 68 from 38 balls. The Australian blaster, elevated to No.5 after Ben McDermott suffered hamstring soreness fielding, came to life in the two-over power surge, hitting 26 from six deliveries.
David iced the six-wicket win with a maximum off Wes Agar, his sixth six of the match. The 28-year-old played an almost identical hand in the Hurricanes' win over Adelaide in their previous match with an unbeaten 62 from 28 deliveries.
"It's nice to get some scores and be not out and win the game," David said. "Adding a bit of responsibility and what the team needs from me, it’s really satisfying. I think I've got the skills to be able to win games from anywhere. It's nice to have those performances to back it up."
The Hurricanes have won five matches in a row to stamp themselves as genuine title contenders with three games remaining before the finals. Hobart has missed the finals the past two seasons and are one of two teams yet to lift the BBL silverware.
They overcame an injury scare when skipper Nathan Ellis crashed head-first into an advertising board in the 15th over, attempting to stop a boundary. Remarkably, he was assessed and returned to the field soon after to continue bowling.
Sydney dropped from first to third on the ladder with four wins from eight games. Earlier, veteran opener David Warner top-scored for the Thunder with an unbeaten 88 off 66 balls in an innings slow to build momentum. The Thunder didn't hit a boundary until the fifth over, managing only 3-85 after 13 overs. Warner eventually lifted the scoring rate, aided by Sam Billings, who contributed 28 runs off 15 deliveries.
Warner, who had snapped his bat earlier on, grew more comfortable as his innings progressed, particularly launching attacks during the final over. Young gun Sam Konstas failed to make his mark after two Tests against India, falling to Riley Meredith for only four runs. Openers Mitchell Owen (13 off six) and Matthew Wade (13 off five) gave Hobart's chase the required start, but the team lost three quick wickets, leaving them somewhat vulnerable.
Despite those setbacks, Tim David and Chris Jordan (who scored 18 not out off 13) steered the Hurricanes home. David’s performance was particularly notable; he struck four boundaries and six towering sixes as he played with aggression.
The turning point was once again during the Power Surge, where he smashed sixes with ease, showcasing why he's become such an integral part of the team this season. "The ball came on nicely under lights here, I didn’t feel good at the start, but it’s nice to get it done for the team," he reflected after the match.
Tim David’s script continues to impress not only with the consistency seen through his back-to-back half-centuries but also as the Hurricanes solidify their position at the top of the BBL table.
Fans have taken to social media to applaud David, recognizing his potential star power as the tournament progresses. His display, coupled with his thoughts on team success, emphasizes both personal and collective achievements.
Looking forward, the Hurricanes hope to maintain this momentum and secure their first BBL trophy, with Tim David playing a central role as they head toward the finals and beyond.
With the continued level of talent demonstrated on the field, supporters eagerly anticipate the next exhilarating chapter for the Hobart Hurricanes and for Tim David as they vie for glory.