Christian’s five-for underpins Hurricanes’ win

Hobart Hurricanes 2 for 144 (Short 60, Paine 41) beat Adelaide Strikers 143 (Hodge 55, Christian 5-14) by eight wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details

As the BBL group stage approaches its halfway point, both Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers arrived at Bellerive Oval with a win and two defeats under their belts; it shaped as a vital clash for both.

And, thanks to a supreme bowling performance – led by an unlikely spearhead, Daniel Christian – it was Hobart Hurricanes who prevailed. Chasing an underpar 144, D’Arcy Short and Tim Paine put on 105, the highest opening stand of the competition so far, and the Hurricanes got home with eight wickets and 14 balls to spare.

Earlier, Christian had taken 5 for 14 – which included three wickets in the final over of the innings – and recorded the second best figures in the BBL’s history, eclipsing the 5 for 16 taken by Sean Abbott two nights ago.

In that game, the Strikers did brilliantly to defend a low score against the Sixers having been invited to bat first, but they were unable to provide a repeat dose; as a result, their finals hopes hang by a thread. The two teams meet again at Adelaide Oval on Friday – another vital clash but, this time, the Hurricanes’ position looks rather stronger.

Hurricanes believe in Christian With Shaun Tait injured and Hamish Kingston dropped, Hurricanes’ bowling attack had a rather different look. There were three seam options – the excellent …

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