That wraps up all the action for today! We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the BBL Boxing Day double-header. Join us again tomorrow as we bring you even more cricket. Until then, this is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of Ranjith P and Harshith Gowda. Goodbye and take care!
Player of the Match, Tim David: "[Hamstring injury] I just felt a little bit of something when I was trying to come back for a second run. It wasn't ideal, but I didn't want to make it worse. I had full faith in the boys to get us home, and they did. It's a high hamstring; I felt it just as I was getting toward full pace. Hopefully, I'll be okay. [Early Power Surge call] The Scorchers play this ground so well. The pitch can become quite different to bat on in the second ten overs, but the boys did a great job of building a platform. We were behind the required rate, but that platform gave us the opportunity to take a chance. The Power Surge gives you momentum if you can find the middle of the bat. It's a big ground, and they make you work hard by bowling good lengths into the pitch, so the plan was always to take the surge, play with freedom, and put them under pressure. To be honest, I felt like I started in fifth gear today! We have a fluid batting order and we trust the experience in that middle order. Even with Matthew Wade out today, the conversations are happening all the time. I said to Nathan Ellis, 'Look, I'm a batter and it's my time to go out.' My role is to recognize those moments in the game and try to make a difference. It was pleasing to hit a few out of the middle. [Two leg spinners] We're seeing just how good Rishad Hossain is in his first stint here in Australia. It's great to have him; you can just throw him the ball even with short straight boundaries because he is so cagey. He has something special. Rehan Ahmed is chipping in as well. It's a real treat for Nathan to have so many options. Our quicks also did an amazing job restricting them in the back ten overs to keep the target chaseable."
9:42 pm In a thrilling finish at Perth Stadium, the Hobart Hurricanes maintained their winning streak on the road despite a rollercoaster run chase. The innings began with a bang, a flat six into the stands, but momentum shifted instantly when Mitch Owen gifted his wicket to Cooper Connolly on the very next delivery. The Hurricanes found themselves in early trouble, losing both openers during a stagnant powerplay with a score of just 26/2. The pressure mounted as the Scorchers' bowlers hit the deck hard with short of a length deliveries, causing the dot balls to pile up. When Ben McDermott was trapped LBW by Connolly in the 8th over, the visitors looked to be in serious trouble. The Power Surge offered a lifeline; while the Scorchers had taken 32 from theirs, the Hurricanes managed 27 runs. Tim David survived a scare on 38 after a collision in the field led to a dropped catch, but disaster struck soon after. First, Nikhil Chaudhary was dismissed LBW by the clinical Connolly, and then David pulled his hamstring, forcing him to retire hurt. In front of the 42,620 fans at Perth, the Hurricanes appeared to be on the back foot until Mac Wright, playing his first BBL game since January 2024, and Chris Jordan took charge. Wright turned the game on its head by smashing a four and a six off the final two balls of the 19th over, shifting the momentum for good. While the Hurricanes celebrate the win, all eyes will now be on the medical tent for an update on Tim David's hamstring injury. Connolly grabbed three wickets with his pinpoint accurate spin bowling, but in the end, they were a few runs short.
Hobart Hurricanes won by 4 wickets
Nathan Ellis is in at number 8
CJ Jordan c Hobson b Paris 15 (16m 11b 2x4 0x6) SR: 136.36
Paris to bowl the last over. 4 runs needed. The Scorchers have fallen behind on their over rate and are now being penalised; they are required to bring an additional fielder into the circle for the remainder of the innings.
END OF OVER:19 | 16 Runs | HH: 147/5 (4 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.73, RRR: 4.00)
- Macalister Wright22 (13b)
- Chris Jordan13 (9b)
- Aaron Hardie3-0-42-0
- Brody Couch4-0-23-0
20 needed from 12 balls. Here's Hardie to bowl the penultimate over.
END OF OVER:18 | 11 Runs | HH: 131/5 (20 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.27, RRR: 10.00)
- Chris Jordan11 (7b)
- Macalister Wright9 (9b)
- Brody Couch4-0-23-0
- Mahli Beardman4-0-25-1
END OF OVER:17 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | HH: 120/5 (31 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.05, RRR: 10.33)
- Chris Jordan6 (4b)
- Macalister Wright4 (6b)
- Mahli Beardman4-0-25-1
- Aaron Hardie2-0-26-0
Josh: "This was a prime example of how not to chase 150….. the slow scoring rate in the first 8 overs made a 150 chase feel like a 180 chase "
Rehan Ahmed c Evans b Beardman 7 (8m 7b 0x4 1x6) SR: 100
