Tim David tees off as Hobart Hurricanes overcome Adelaide Strikers in entertaining BBL clash

The Hurricanes were brutal from the first over, highlighted by a bouncer which rattled Chris Lynn, and made it four wins on the trot after Tim David erupted to overcome the Adelaide Strikers. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Hurricanes speedster Riley Meredith rattled Chris Lynn with an opening over thunderbolt at Ninja Stadium and although the Strikers’ master blaster recovered with a pivotal innings, it wasn’t enough to stop Hobart charging to a fourth straight victory in the BBL.

Struck on the side of the helmet after taking his eyes off a 140km/h bouncer, the 34-year-old Queenslander regrouped with a blistering 49 runs off 27 balls as the Strikers reached 5-186 from their 20 overs.

But it was calm before the storm. At 4-101 in reply, the Hurricanes’ chase was flagging until Tim David teed off in spectacular fashion bringing up his 50 off just 22 balls — five better than his previous best.

Tim David starred for the Hurricanes in their run chase. Picture: Getty Images

Showing no mercy, the T20 globetrotter thrashed the Adelaide attack to all parts. In a fifth-wicket stand of 75 off 43 balls, Nikhil Chaudhary contributed 22, playing second fiddle as the pair rattled off a season-best power surge of 41 runs.

Having failed to pass 33 in three previous starts, the 28-year-old David arrived at the Bellerive wicket in the the 11th over and walked off eight overs later, unbeaten on 62 from 28 in a knock that included six maximums and three fours.

Hobart’s 5-187 from 18.4 overs was the second most successful chase of BBL14. Having now notched four consecutive wins for the first time since 2019, the Hurricanes are surging and poses as a legitimate title contender.

LYNN FLOORED

It was a mixed night for Lynn. After recovering from Meredith’s early blow, he entertained with three big sixes and five fours and had the Strikers eyeing a third victory.

However, once dismissed he wasn’t seen during Hobart’s chase, reportedly nursing a bruised abdomen - courtesy of another Meredith rib-rattler.

Chris Lynn badged by brutal bouncer.

POPE’S LAMENT

Englishman Ollie Pope (33 off 27) combined with Adelaide captain Alex Ross (47 off 29) in a fourth-wicket stand of 64 off 40 balls before departing in the 16th over at 4-139.

“I think finishing on 186 is a pretty good score,” Pope said on Fox Cricket during the innings break.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t kick on and score 60 to 70 and push us to 200. It’s a good wicket and par is around 171, the slower balls were holding a bit and we’ve got some good spinners.”

Good spinners indeed. With Mitch Owen (37 off 16) and Matthew Wade (27 off 18) crunching an opening stand of 61 inside five overs, the Hurricanes were well on the way to securing the win.

But when Ross introduced Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce, the leggies immediately went to work and by the 11th over Hobart had slumped to 4-101.

Unafraid to flight the ball, Pope had Owen stumped and then bowled the dangerous Ben McDermott. Playing from the same tip sheet, Boyce had Wade caught in the deep before Shai Hope was also stumped.

Originally published as Tim David tees off as Hobart Hurricanes overcome Adelaide Strikers in entertaining BBL clash