Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis tear through Adelaide’s top order to derail 179-run chase

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Table-toppers Hobart Hurricanes continued their dominant Big Bash League campaign with a commanding 37-run victory over Adelaide Strikers, despite a valiant unbeaten 91 from Liam Scott. The Hurricanes’ pace duo of Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis set up the win with a devastating new-ball spell that left the Strikers reeling early in their chase at Ninja Stadium on Friday night.

Chasing a target of 179, Adelaide’s innings unravelled almost immediately as Meredith and Ellis reduced them to a disastrous 8 for 4. Meredith, who has struggled for wickets this season, struck twice in quick succession, first having Strikers captain Matthew Short caught at cover for 2 before clean bowling Mackenzie Harvey for a duck just two balls later. Ellis then piled on the pressure in the following over, dismissing Chris Lynn after a successful review for caught behind and removing Jason Sangha soon after. Meredith finished with figures of 2 for 16, while Ellis was even more incisive with 2 for 7.

Amid the collapse, Liam Scott stood tall for the Strikers, playing a lone hand with a career-best unbeaten 91 off 58 balls. His knock provided some resistance, but with little support from the rest of the batting line-up—only one other batter reached double figures—Adelaide eventually limped to 141 for 9, well short of the target.

Earlier, Hobart Hurricanes laid the foundation with an explosive start after being sent in to bat. Mitchell Owen stunned the Strikers with a blistering 33 off just nine balls, smashing two fours and four sixes as Hurricanes raced past 50 inside the third over. Owen’s cameo ended when he was caught in the deep off Luke Wood, but the early damage had already been done.

The Strikers fought back through their bowlers in the middle overs. Jamie Overton claimed the key wickets of Nikhil Chaudhary (23 off 17 balls) and Ben McDermott (18 off 23) in the 14th over, while spinner Tabraiz Shamsi impressed with economical figures of 1 for 19, including a penultimate over that conceded just five runs. Rehan Ahmed chipped in with a quick 29 from 17 deliveries, and veteran Matthew Wade added valuable late runs with 27 off 19 as Hurricanes posted 178 for 6.

The win sees the reigning champions Hurricanes move two victories clear at the top of the BBL points table with six wins from eight matches as finals approach. For fifth-placed Adelaide Strikers, the defeat is a major setback in their push for a top-four finish, with only three regular-season games remaining.

Looking ahead, Hurricanes will welcome Ashes squad members Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster back into contention for their clash against Sydney Sixers on Sunday. The Strikers, meanwhile, will regain the services of Alex Carey when they host Perth Scorchers later the same day.