Hobart Hurricanes 3-196 (M Wade 85, D Short 58) def Sydney Thunder 6-193 (J Buttler 89, C Green 26no) by seven wickets
Hobart captain Matthew Wade's masterclass and ex-skipper George Bailey's brilliance in the clutch launched the Hurricanes to a seven-wicket win over the Sydney Thunder, and to the top of the BBL ladder.
In career-best nick with the bat, Wade smoked a Twenty20 personal-best 85 to drive the unbeaten Hurricanes, owners of the three highest successful chases in BBL history, past the Thunder's formidable 6-193 with five balls to spare at Hobart's Blundstone Arena on Friday night.
Captain's knock: Matthew Wade clears the boundary against the Thunder on Friday night. Credit:AAP
The run chase looked on target before Wade holed out to third man and Ben McDermott (22) was yorked, both victims of Sam Rainbird (2-25) in the 18th over, to give the Thunder the edge as the asking rate rose to 26 off 12 balls.
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But the evergreen Bailey smoked 22 off the penultimate over from Daniel Sams (0-54 off four), including a big six off a high full toss which was penalised with a subsequent free hit, to put the result beyond doubt.
Wade was dropped on 72 when he skied a straightforward chance to Nathan McAndrew at long-on but the former Test gloveman was otherwise flawless, thumping four sixes and having three balls replaced in his 49-ball knock.
Wade combined for 120 for the first wicket with D'Arcy Short, who was run out for 58 after a mid-pitch mix-up, but the foundation the pair laid was invaluable.
"We've got plenty to work on when we get to Launceston [for this Sunday's clash against the Perth Scorchers]. We'll have to do a fielding session for sure," Wade said.
"It was nice to get a few [runs] but more importantly to get away with D'Arcy, as we wanted to be as few wickets [down] as we could by 10 overs."
Earlier, England Test star Jos Buttler belted 89, the best individual score of this summer's BBL, as the Thunder posted what was the summer's highest total before Hobart's terrific chase.
The visitors smacked 1-65 during the power play but the experienced trio of captain Shane Watson (20), Joe Root (17) and Callum Ferguson (15) failed to capitalise on promising starts.
Buttler should have been sent packing on 12 when Johan Botha grassed a simple chance at mid-on before James Faulkner dropped two sitters during a shoddy all-round performance from Hobart in the field.
Despite their fielding blues, Rose (2-30) and Faulkner (2-34) were the pick of the bowlers for the now top-of-the-table Hurricanes.
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