MELBOURNE, Australia, , CMC – A disruptive spell from West Indies Twenty20 star spinner Sunil Narine for Melbourne Renegades was upstaged by a maiden Twenty20 hundred from Ben McDermott that set up a thrilling, record two-wicket victory for the Hobart Hurricanes in a high-scoring Big Bash League match on Thursday.
Narine was the most successful bowler for the Renegades, grabbing three for 27 from four overs, but the 22-year-ikd McDermott smashed eight fours and nine sixes in 114 from 52 balls to put the Hurricanes firmly on course for a target of 223 at the Docklands Stadium and the highest successful run chase in the tournament’s history.
Before Narine trapped him lbw in the 16th over, McDermott, son of Australian fast bowling legend Craig McDermott, shared 151 for the third wicket with Australia international George Bailey, after the Hurricanes endured a shaky start.
Narine again intervened, when he had Beau Webster caught at deep mid-wicket for a second-ball duck and Bailey caught at long-on for 59 from 42 balls in the space of three deliveries in the penultimate over, leaving the Hurricanes needing 16 from the final over.
Narine was again involved, when his direct hit at the striker’s end from third man saw Cameron Boyce run out off the second delivery.
But Sri Lanka medium-fast bowler Thisara Perera, entrusted with the final over, conceded 13 from the next three balls, including three wides, before England international Stuart Broad got a single from a leading edge to mid-off to take the Hurricanes over the finish line.
Earlier, Australia international Aaron Finch hit the top score of 63 from 40 balls and Netherlands international Tom Cooper supported with an unbeaten 53 from 24 balls, as the Renegades posted 222 for four from their allocation of 20 overs, after they were put in to bat in the 24th match of the tournament.
The total took the Renegades 10 past the previous highest score in the BBL, made by the Hurricanes against Brisbane Heat in four Decembers ago, but McDermott, whose six count was the same total for the home team during their innings, propelled the visitors to a memorable victory.
The result meant that the Hurricanes now have six points – but they are fifth in the tournament standings behind the Melbourne Stars, due to net run rate. The Renegades are one of three teams on four points in the bottom half of the table – but they are sixth, due to net run rate.
The League continues on Saturday with a derby at the Sydney Cricket Ground between the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers, whose squad includes incumbent West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite, a replacement for injured West Indies teammate Andre Russell.
Narine and the Renegades return to action this coming Monday at the Adelaide Oval, when they face hosts Adelaide Strikers, whose line-up includes West Indies T20 star Kieron Pollard and Barbados-born England all-rounder Christopher Jordan.
