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Key Takeaways

1🏆 Hobart Hurricanes advance to the BBL Challenger after a dramatic 3-run victory over Melbourne Stars
2🏏 Beau Webster's explosive 47 including three sixes in the final over proved match-defining
3🌧️ Rain reduced the contest to 10 overs per side, creating a high-pressure chase scenario
4💔 Melbourne Stars remain the only BBL franchise to have never won the title
5🎯 Mitchell Owen's clutch wide yorker on the final ball sealed the thrilling victory
6📅 Hurricanes will face Sydney Sixers in the Challenger for a spot 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 by 3 Runs in Rain-Affected BBL Thriller to Reach Challenger

In one of the most thrilling encounters of the Big Bash League season, the Hobart Hurricanes edged past the Melbourne Stars by just three runs in a rain-affected Knockout clash at Hobart. The victory propels the Hurricanes into the Challenger, where they will face the Sydney Sixers on Friday for a coveted spot in the final at the SCG.

For the Melbourne Stars, the defeat extends their unwanted record as the only franchise in Big Bash history to have never lifted the trophy, adding another chapter of heartbreak to their campaign.

Rain Delays and a Reduced Contest

The weather played a significant role in shaping this encounter, with rain arriving before the bat flip and delaying proceedings for over two hours. When play finally resumed, the match was reduced to a 10-over-a-side affair. The Stars won the bat flip and opted to insert the Hurricanes in challenging, damp conditions.

Hurricanes Batting: Webster and Chaudhary Provide the Firepower

The Hurricanes' innings was a tale of two halves. Mitchell Owen announced his intentions early, launching Glenn Maxwell for a towering six in the opening over, only to be stumped two balls later. Tim Ward and Beau Webster steadied the ship, plundering three boundaries off Tom Curran to add 15 runs in the second over.

Middle Overs Squeeze

Webster continued his aggressive approach, finding the boundary twice more off Peter Siddle. However, the Stars' pace spearhead Haris Rauf—the tournament's highest wicket-taker—struck to remove Ward. Ben McDermott arrived and immediately looked threatening, striking two fours off his first two deliveries.

Overs five through seven saw the Stars regain control, conceding only six runs as the spinners applied pressure. The momentum, however, swung dramatically in the final phase.

Late Onslaught Tilts the Balance

Nikhil Chaudhary provided the crucial acceleration, smashing three sixes in the space of just six balls. Despite Rauf claiming Chaudhary's wicket while conceding 18 in his second over, the damage was done. Webster then took center stage in the final over, launching three massive sixes to propel the Hurricanes to 114/5—a commanding total in a shortened format, with 50 runs plundered off the last three overs.

Stars Chase: Drama Until the Final Ball

The Stars' response began cautiously before rain intervened once more. A 10-minute delay further reduced their chase to just seven overs, with the DLS-adjusted target requiring 76 runs off 30 balls after Riley Meredith had claimed Thomas Rogers in the second over.

Clarke and Harper Ignite Hope

Joe Clarke and Sam Harper launched the counterattack, taking 11 off the third over and 13 off the fourth. Clarke found his rhythm with consecutive boundaries off Meredith before departing for a well-made 31 off 17 balls, leaving the Stars needing 44 off 15 balls.

The Climactic Finish

With steady rain falling over Hobart, Harper struck a boundary off the final ball of the fifth over to reduce the equation to 37 off two overs before being retired out. Rishad Hossain held his nerve in the penultimate over, conceding just one six as the Stars required 26 off the final six balls.

Captain Marcus Stoinis began the last over explosively, hammering the first ball for six. But disaster struck on the next delivery as he sliced straight to deep backward-point, leaving the chase in tatters. Hilton Cartwright refused to surrender, smashing 4, 4, 6 off consecutive deliveries to bring the equation down to five runs off the final ball.

Owen Holds His Nerve

With the match on the line, Mitchell Owen delivered a clutch wide yorker that Cartwright could only squeeze for a single. The Hurricanes erupted in celebration as they clinched victory by the narrowest of margins—three runs.

Bowling Heroes: Meredith and Owen Deliver Under Pressure

Riley Meredith finished with figures of 2/19, providing crucial breakthroughs at key moments. Mitchell Owen's death bowling proved decisive, with his composure in the final over sealing the victory despite Cartwright's heroic efforts.

Stars' Trophy Drought Continues

The defeat marks yet another painful exit for the Melbourne Stars, who remain the only Big Bash franchise without a title to their name. Despite boasting talented squads year after year, the trophy has remained elusive, and this dramatic loss will only add to their supporters' frustration.

Looking Ahead: Hurricanes vs Sixers in the Challenger

The Hobart Hurricanes now turn their attention to a blockbuster Challenger clash against the Sydney Sixers on Friday. The winner will earn the right to compete in the BBL final at the iconic SCG, with the Hurricanes riding high on confidence after this nail-biting triumph.

With match-winners like Beau Webster in sublime form and bowlers capable of performing under immense pressure, the Hurricanes will fancy their chances of going all the way this season.