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Key Takeaways

1🏆 Hobart Hurricanes advance to the BBL Challenger after defeating Melbourne Stars by 3 runs in a rain-affected thriller
2🏏 Beau Webster starred with 47 runs including three sixes in the final over to propel Hurricanes to 114/5
3🎯 Mitchell Owen held his nerve in the final over, bowling a perfect wide yorker when Stars needed 5 off the last ball
4💔 Melbourne Stars remain the only BBL franchise to have never won the title after another heartbreaking exit
5🌧️ Rain reduced the match to a 10-over contest, with Stars' chase further shortened to 7 overs under DLS
6📅 Hurricanes will face Sydney Sixers on Friday in the Challenger for a place in the BBL final at the SCG

"Hobart Hurricanes will face Sydney Sixers on Friday for a place in the final at the SCG"

Hobart Hurricanes Edge Melbourne Stars in Rain-Affected BBL Thriller to Secure Challenger Berth

In one of the most dramatic finishes of the Big Bash League season, Hobart Hurricanes held their nerve to defeat Melbourne Stars by just three runs in a rain-affected Knockout match at Hobart. The victory propels the Hurricanes into the Challenger, where they will face Sydney Sixers on Friday for a coveted place in the BBL final at the SCG.

Match Overview: Weather Plays Havoc in Hobart

Rain proved to be the ultimate disruptor as the Knockout fixture was delayed for over two hours before a ball could be bowled. When play finally got underway, the match was reduced to a 10-over shootout, setting the stage for an adrenaline-fueled contest.

Melbourne Stars won the bat flip and inserted the Hurricanes into bat under overcast skies, hoping to exploit the challenging conditions. What followed was a rollercoaster of momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery.

Hurricanes Batting: Webster and Chaudhary Provide the Fireworks

The Hurricanes' innings was a tale of two halves. Mitchell Owen announced his intentions early with a six off Glenn Maxwell in the opening over, but was stumped just two balls later. Tim Ward and Beau Webster steadied the ship, combining to take 15 runs off Tom Curran's second over with three crisp boundaries.

Middle-Over Squeeze

Pakistan's pace sensation Haris Rauf, the tournament's highest wicket-taker, struck to remove Ward and applied the brakes on the Hurricanes' momentum. Ben McDermott showed his class with two boundaries off his first two deliveries, but overs five through seven yielded a mere six runs as the Stars' bowling unit tightened their grip.

Explosive Finish

The final three overs transformed the complexion of the innings completely. Nikhil Chaudhary launched an assault with three sixes in just six balls, though Rauf claimed his scalp after conceding 18 in his second over. The hero of the innings, Beau Webster, saved his best for last—smashing three sixes in the final over to finish unbeaten on 47 from limited deliveries. The Hurricanes posted a competitive 114/5, with an explosive 50 runs coming off the last three overs.

Stars Chase: Drama Until the Final Ball

Further rain interruptions reduced the Stars' chase to seven overs, with the revised DLS target requiring them to score 76 off 30 balls after two overs had already been bowled.

Clarke and Harper Build Momentum

Joe Clarke and Sam Harper constructed a promising platform, accumulating 11 off the third over followed by 13 off the fourth. Clarke continued his aggressive approach with consecutive boundaries off Riley Meredith before departing for a well-made 31 off just 17 balls.

Penultimate Over Heroics

With 44 runs needed off 15 balls and rain falling steadily in Hobart, the equation remained daunting. Harper's boundary off the final ball of the over reduced the requirement to 37 off 12, but he was strategically retired out to bring fresh legs to the crease.

Bangladeshi spinner Rishad Hossain showed remarkable composure in the penultimate over, conceding just 11 runs (including one six) to leave the Stars requiring 26 off the final six deliveries.

The Dramatic Final Over: Owen Holds His Nerve

Captain Marcus Stoinis launched the first ball of Mitchell Owen's final over for a towering six, igniting hopes of a miraculous finish. However, the Stars skipper's next attempt found the hands of the fielder at deep backward-point, leaving the visitors needing 19 off four balls.

Hilton Cartwright refused to surrender, smashing 4, 4, 6 off three consecutive deliveries to bring the equation down to a gettable five runs off the final ball. In a moment that will be replayed for years to come, Owen delivered a pinpoint wide yorker that Cartwright could only squeeze for a single, sealing a heart-stopping three-run victory for the Hurricanes.

Bowling Performances: Meredith and Owen Shine

Riley Meredith was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers, claiming 2/19 including the crucial wicket of Thomas Rogers early in the chase. Mitchell Owen's figures of 1/22 don't tell the full story—his composure in the final over, with the match hanging by a thread, demonstrated ice-cold temperament under immense pressure.

For the Stars, Haris Rauf's 2/27 showcased why he leads the Big Bash wicket-taking charts, while captain Marcus Stoinis contributed with an economical 1/6 from his solitary over.

Melbourne Stars: The BBL's Cursed Franchise

The defeat extends Melbourne Stars' unwanted record as the only franchise in Big Bash League history to have never lifted the trophy. Despite boasting world-class talent including Glenn Maxwell, Haris Rauf, and Marcus Stoinis, the Stars continue to find new and agonizing ways to fall short in crucial moments.

What's Next: Hurricanes Face Sixers in Challenger

Hobart Hurricanes now turn their attention to Friday's Challenger against Sydney Sixers. The winner will earn a place in the BBL final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where the title will be decided.

After producing such a clutch performance under pressure, the Hurricanes will carry significant momentum into the knockout clash. Beau Webster's batting prowess, combined with the bowling depth shown by Meredith and Owen, makes them a formidable opponent for any side in the tournament.