The Hobart Hurricanes have moved a step closer to hosting a Big Bash League semi-final after chasing down 4 for 173 in a nail-biter to beat the Melbourne Renegades at Bellerive Oval.
Led by opener Jonathan Wells, who made 72 off 61 balls, the Hurricanes won by seven wickets, sneaking the 10 runs they needed off a final over bowled by Shahid Afridi, whose final ball wide ensured the win.
Cool heads from Owais Shah (49 off 30) and Phil Jaques (12 off 7) guided the home side to 10 points on the BBL ladder, meaning that unless the Sydney Sixers enjoy a big win over the Perth Scorchers in the later game on Wednesday, a play-off match will be held at Bellerive this weekend.
The win snapped a two-match losing streak for the Hurricanes as they delivered on the promise they had shown when they opened their campaign with four straight wins.
Wells survived some anxious moments to pace the run home perfectly after the Hurricanes had pegged back a flying start from Renegades openers Aaron Finch (67 off 45) and Brad Hodge (63 off 41).
Wells and Travis Birt (25 off 16) hit the accelerator in the seventh and eighth overs, belting four sixes.
Wells managed three straight fours off Andrew McDonald's first three balls in the ninth, but one was a French cut and another a snick past wicketkeeper Graham Manou.
It did not stop him posting his 50 off 40 balls and with Shah he steered his side towards the victory before he was caught on the boundary by Will Sheridan off the bowling of debutant Brenton McDonald.
Earlier, Finch had broken his bat in blasting 67 off 45 balls for the Renegades.
The opener was left carrying the handle after trying to smash Ben Laughlin in the 14th over, having already belted three sixes and five fours.
Three of those sixes had come off consecutive deliveries from Jason Krejza (3 for 39) in the eighth over.
Finch and opening partner Hodge (63 off 41) put on 126 for the first wicket to get the Renegades off to a flyer before the Hurricanes applied the brakes and the Renegades lost 4 for 51 in the last eight overs.
Big Hurricanes opener Mark Cosgrove's first BBL match did not go well, the former South Australian awkwardly playing on a Dirk Nannes yorker he appeared to have dug out when on two.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, hobart-7000, tas, australia First posted January 18, 2012 19:34:11
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