Sydney Thunder’s Jos Buttler was dropped early by the Hobart Hurricanes and took full advantage by posting the highest score in the Big Bash League this season.

His knock (89) took his side to what was also this season’s biggest score (193), until George Bailey blasted Daniel Sams for 22 runs to set up a seven-wicket win with five balls remaining.

Here, we take a look at the best moments from Friday’s BBL showdown between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder.

BAILEY PUNISHES SAMS
This contest ebbed and flowed throughout the Hobart Hurricane’s run chase, but after Matthew Wade, D’Arcy Short and Ben McDermott were all removed late in the innings, the Thunder’s total appeared to be safe.

When McDermott was bowled by Sam Rainbird at the end of the 17th over, it left the Hurricanes needing 26 off the last two.

But it took just two more balls for this match to swing massively in the Tasmanians’ favour.

Veteran Bailey blasted Sams through a gap in the off side for four to build some momentum. Sams would prefer to forget the next ball especially.

He dished up a no ball full toss which Bailey blasted for six over deep midwicket to add seven runs to the score and a free hit to boot.

Sams went for 22 off the over, and finished his four overs with figures of 0-54 (13.50 economy).

That left just four runs needed off the last over for victory.

JAMES FAULKNER’S HORROR NIGHT
Dropping just one catch can make even the best player look for the widest and deepest hole to jump in and hide.

Imagine dropping two in five overs.

That was the brutal reality for Hobart’s James Faulkner on Friday night.

The former Australia white-ball star may have taken two wickets but he let two catches slip away - and neither were difficult.

The first was off his own bowling to Jason Sangha. The Thunder batsman drove on the up and popped the ball back to Faulkner who put it straight back to the ground. On this occasion, he was lucky to make amends and dismiss Sangha two balls later.

He couldn’t just answer to himself on the second drop, though.

Cameron Green looped a top edge to Faulkner at square leg off the bowling of D’Arcy Short, only for the all-rounder to clumsily lose grip and hand the batsman a lifeline. Green was on seven when he was dropped, and went on to make an unbeaten 26.

BUTTLER MAKES ’CANES PAY
England international and Thunder recruit Jos Buttler came within just two balls of making this season’s first century, but he wouldn’t have come close if it wasn’t for an earlier gift.

Buttler was only on 12 in the sixth over when he handed a simple catch to Johan Botha at mid-off.

The South African spilt the chance off the bowling of Faulkner, and Buttler didn’t look back.

The 28-year-old smashed eight fours and six maximums on his way to 89 off 54 deliveries. His knock - which is the highest in this season’s BBL - took his side to a formidable total of 193. No team has posted a greater total this season either.

WADE BURNS SHORT
Needing more than nine an over for the win, Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short set about chasing down the Thunder’s daunting total in perfect fashion.

The pair made it to the 12-over mark without loss and took Hobart to 0-120. Both players brought up their fifties and no Thunder player looked like they could stop them.

But as it turned out, they could stop themselves.

Wade called for a second and the pair made it to the middle of the pitch before he inexplicably hesitated. That forced Short to stop mid-pitch before he was called through.

It was too late and Short was run out for 58 off 39 balls to bring a new batsman to the crease and put the chase in doubt.

BEST TWEET
Unsurprisingly, it was the fielding of the Hobart Hurricane’s that caught unwanted attention on social media.

WHAT’S NEXT
The Hobart Hurricanes will on Sunday night face the Perth Scorchers in a match that will double as the long-awaited return of Cameron Bancroft.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Thunder take on the Adelaide Strikers in Adelaide Oval’s traditional New Year’s Eve fixture.