Big Bash League: Hobart's Dunk smashes 96 as Sydney Thunder extend their losing streak

Ben Dunk of the Hurricanes bats during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder at Blundstone Arena on January 11, 2014 in Hobart, Australia.

A high-quality innings from Ben Dunk and some superb bowling performance from Ben Laughlin took Hobart Hurricanes to a comprehensive 73-run win over Sydney Thunder, who lost their 19th consecutive T20 match in a row. Hobart’s total of 167 proved too much for Sydney Thunder as the middle order collapsed in a heap, and in the end could only manage 94.

Shoaib Malik surprisingly opened the bowling for Hobart given the nature of surface at Hobart. Sydney Thunder needed a steady start from Usman Khawaja and Daniel Hughes, but the latter was not able to read the length-ball from Malik and eventually was clean bowled for nought. The ever-reliable Michael Hussey (2) departed in the next over as he hoisted a short-ball of Ben Hilfenhaus to the midwicket fielder Travis Birt.

The middle order was not able to adapt to the circumstance. None of them batted sensibly as they played some poor shots to throw their wicket away. At the end of the sixth over, Sydney Thunder were 32 for the loss of 2 wickets. Khawaja and Cameron Borgas were at the crease. If the pair could have batted for another five overs, Sydney Thunder would have fancied the chances.

Instead, Borgas (8) lofted a full-length delivery off Laughlin straight to deep midwicket. Khawaja also lofted a full-length delivery, outside off-stump, straight to deep extra cover for 28. Sydney Thunder subsequently didn’t have one good partnership to turn the heat on Hobart and finally ended up losing by a big margin.

Ben Laughlin was the pick of the bowlers for Hobart as he grabbed three wickets for 8 runs, while Shoaib Malik claimed two wickets.

It was a good batting display by Hobart Hurricanes, which helped them to post a score that could be defended by the bowlers. After winning the toss, Tim Paine and Dunk started the innings confidently. Perhaps, they would have realized that set batsmen have to make an impact. Dunk began his innings with two glorious boundaries of Dirk Nannes in the second over, and thereafter, he was unstoppable as he scored 26 runs in next 10 balls.

However, he lost Time Paine for 14 in the fifth over as the latter was caught by Hughes off Ajanta Mendis. Dunk subsequently put on a magnificent partnership of 71 runs for the second wicket with Birt and helped Hobart cross the 100-run mark in the 12^th over. After the wicket of Birt, Hobart lost the plot and could only manage 30 runs in the last five overs. It did not affect them much as 168 was always going to be a tough ask especially against the Hobart Hurricanes attack.