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BBL6 Game 14 Recap - Hurricanes v Strikers @ Blundstone

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BBL6 Game 14 Recap - Hurricanes v Strikers @ Blundstone

Hobart Hurricanes 2/144 (17.4 overs) Defeated Adelaide Strikers 10/143 (20 Overs) @ Blundstone Arena 

Hurricanes Thump Strikers 

The Hobart Hurricanes registered an emphatic 8-wicket victory over the Adelaide Strikers to get to 2-2 for the season. The Hurricanes have now two big wins to go with two heavy defeats and remain right in the finals mix with four games to play. George Bailey's men put in an outstanding bowling performance, led by veteran Dan Christian who claimed the amazing figures of 5/14 from his 4 overs. The Hurricanes then made light work of the chase, with openers Tim Paine (41) and D'Arcy Short (60) getting the home side off to a great start, before Kumar Sangakkara (22 n/o) finished things off. 

Hurricanes Chase Small Total Smartly 

I think most of the time the best way to chase small totals is to go hard and go hard early. Sometimes teams bat differently and lack freedom when chasing moderate to low totals. The Hurricanes' pair of D'Arcy Short and Tim Paine took the right approach by not changing their games but using the tempo and killing off the Strikers early. Short had a bit of luck early, however showed his promise with a series of lofted shots to compile his second half century of BBL6. Tim Paine has been in outstanding form all tournament and his 41 made him the leading scorer so far in BBL6. The wicketkeeper batsman must be making a case to become Australia's T20 wicket keeper given there are no other wicketkeepers really putting their hand up with big runs so far. 

Strikers In Peril 

This was a really flat and listless performance from Adelaide given what was on the line here. After a dramatic come from behind victory against the Sixers, I expected them to gain confidence and momentum out of that win. However they instead put in their worst performance of BBL6. Their batting just hasn't clicked so far, and I think they need a bit of a rethink at the top of the order.  Travis Head got out again last night, just when he looked like getting going. Brad Hodge was once again their best batsman and a return to the top of the order seems a must. 

Pollard Out Of Sorts 

Explosive West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard was a smash hit in his last stint at the Adelaide Strikers, however he is sleep walking his way through BBL6. Pollard just can't seem to get himself going batting at Number 6, and Adelaide's batting is really suffering as a result. Sometimes it's not easy for these explosive all-rounders to come in with 4-5 overs to go and hit balls out of the ground, however that's what they get paid the big bucks to do. To go with Chris Jordan's struggles, the Strikers are not getting enough out of their imports this year, and with them sitting at 1-3 the clock is ticking. 

Lurker's Shaky Start to 2017 

It's been a shaky start to 2017 for the Lurker, having registered just 1 win from 3 matches. Has the Lurker left his 2016 form in the past and is he on the chase? It's a big game for him tonight as he looks to get back on track as the Heat host the Sixers.