Hobart Hurricanes celebrate with the BBL trophy. Photo: X/BBL Hobart Hurricanes celebrate with the BBL trophy. Photo: X/BBL

Mitch Owen played one of the most astonishing innings in the history of the Big Bash League to propel Hobart Hurricanes to their first ever BBL title with a one-sided victory over Sydney Thunder in the final of the tournament at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Mondayhawkplay, 27 January 2025. (More Cricket News)

Owen smashed a 39-ball century, the joint-fastest ever in the Big Bash League, and finished with 108 off 42 balls to make way for a seven-wicket victory for the Hurricanes. Owen's hitting spree helped the Hurricanes knock off the 183-run target set by the Thunder in just 14.1 overs.

Earlier in the game, Hobart Hurricanes had won the toss and opted to bowl first at their home ground of Bellerive Oval.

Playing XIs

Hobart Hurricanes (Playing XI): Mitchell Owen, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Wade(w), Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis(c), Cameron Gannon, Peter Hatzoglou, Riley Meredith

Hannan Shahid was named the hero of the match for his spectacular double. Pakistan's five goals, which decisively thrashed China in Hulunbuir, have secured their place in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024, where they join India. This sets up the potential for an India vs. Pakistan final, though the two teams will first face off in their fifth match on Saturday.

One did not realise the enormity of this feat. Harmanpreet is basically a defensive midfielder in footballing parlance and to score 200 goals, is truly a great achievement.

Sydney Thunder (Playing XI): Jason Sangha, David Warner(c), Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings(w), Oliver Davies, Chris Green, George Garton, Nathan McAndrew, Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Tanveer Sangha

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BY Outlook Sports Desk

Put into bat first, the Thunder were off to a solid start with openers Jason Sangha (67 off 42) and David Warner (48 off 32) taking the team to 97 without loss in 10 overs. However, despite a strong foundation, the Thunder middle order could not capitalise on it. Nathan Ellis, the captain of the Hurricanes, dismissed Warner and Matthew Gikes (0 off 1) on consecutive balls in the 11th over to put brakes on the Thunder innings. Riley Meredith got the wicket of Sam Billings (20 off 14) in the 15th over before Ellis struck for the third time in the game to end Sangha's innings.

Chris Green scored a 9-ball 16 towards the end but the Thunder never got the acceleration they desired and were restricted at 182/7 in 20 overs. Meredith (3/27) and Ellis (3/23) both picked up three wickets each for the Hurricanes.

While below par, 182 was still a decent score put up the Thunder or so it seemed for a while before Owen began his assault.

Owens slammed Nathan McAndrew for 23 runs in the very first over to set the tone of the chase and from there on, he never looked back. The right-hander put on a power hitting demonstration to light up the final. He galloped to his half-century in just 16 balls in just the fourth over of the chase.

Owen's six-hitting spree powered the Hurricanes to 98 without loss in the powerplay. His opening partner Caleb Jewell (13 off12) was dismissed in the eighth over but by that time the score was already 109 of which Owens 85.

In the 10th over, Owens reached his hundred in just 39 balls, the joint-fastest in the Big Bash. He was dismissed by Tom Andrews in the next over but by that time he had done his job.

Matthew Wade (32* off 17) and Ben McDermott (18 off 12) then guided the Hurricanes over the victory line with ease.

The title win for the Hurricanes makes them the seventh team in the Big Bash with the trophyhawkplay, leaving only Melbourne Stars trophyless.