Wade blasts Hurricanes into BBL finals
Matthew Wade (R) of the Hurricanes reacts after scoring his century during the Big Bash League (BBL) cricket match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Hobart Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Sunday, January 26, 2020. (AAP Image/Sam Wundke)
A stunning 130 not out from Captain Matthew Wade off just 61 balls has handed Hobart a remarkable finals berth which seemed impossible only a few matches ago.
He combined with D'Arcy Short (72 off 52) for the highest partnership in the club's history, as the Canes went on to post a whopping 217 from their 20 overs.
On their home deck and in-form, the Adelaide Strikers put in a valiant chase, evenutally falling 10 runs short.
Wade's score was the highest ever by a Hurricanes player and the second highest in Big Bash history, following Marcus Stoinis' 147 from 79 balls for the Melbourne Stars at the MCG earlier this season.
The left-handed Hobartian belted 11 fours and 7 sixes, handing his side an under-pressure win when no other result would have sufficed.
Clive Rose, Nathan Ellis and Scott Boland all took two wickets each, including an important run-out from Boland.
The Canes' superior run rate pushes them into the all important top 5 on the BBL09 ladder and if results go their way, they could host the inaugural Eliminator Final at Blundstone Arena on Thursday.
