McDermott, bowlers star in Hurricanes' easy win

Ben McDermott made 67 off 43. © Getty
Hobart Hurricanes picked their second win in BBL 2021-22 as they trounced Melbourne Stars by 24 runs at the Bellerive Oval. Ben McDermott made 67 off 43 to carry Hurricanes to 180 for 6 before Riley Meredith, Thomas Rogers and Nathan Ellis dented the Stars with regular strikes. The game also made headlines for controversial reasons as Hurricanes invited a five-run penalty after Tim David deliberately grounded his bat well short of the crease while attempting a second run.

After opting to bat, Hurricanes scored 91 in the opening nine overs without losing a wicket. Matthew Wade (39) set the platform with McDermott as the pair started positively after making 35 in the opening four overs. Between overs 7 and 9, they scored 39 to put Stars under pressure as McDermott also completed his half-century. Nathan Coulter-Nile managed to dismiss Wade while McDermott fell to Andre Russell soon after.

Hurricanes were 150 for 2 at one stage but lost wickets quickly in the death overs as Russell ended with three while Coulter-Nile got two. After a bright start, the hosts made 89 for 6 in the last 11 overs.

In the chase, Joe Clarke made 52 and while there were several contributions from the other batters, no one stuck around to drive the side home. When Clarke fell in the 13th over, the platform was set for a big finish as Stars were well-placed at 100 for 3. Ellis dismissed Joe Burns and Russell to turn the game in his side's favour while D'Arcy Short picked the all-important wicket of Clarke.

Hilton Cartwright made 26 off 18 but Hurricanes ensured there was no lower-order flourish to threaten their hold on the game.

Brief scores: Hobart Hurricanes 180/6 in 20 overs (Ben McDermott 67; Andre Russell 3-48) beat Melbourne Stars 156/9 in 20 overs (Joe Clarke 52; Thomas Rogers 3-29) by 24 runs.