BBL final: Mitch Owen blasts record-equalling ton as Hurricanes claim first Big Bash title
Mitch Owen has guided the Hobart Hurricanes to an incredible victory in the BBL final to claim their first title in the league’s history.
Worldwide T20 riches await Mitch Owen after the big-hitting Tasmanian tore Sydney Thunder’s attack to shreds in one of the great BBL innings in Monday’s final at Hobart.
With the Hurricanes chasing the visitors’ 7-182 in their quest for a maiden title, the competition’s breakout player of the season saved his best for last with a scarcely believable knock of 108 off 42 balls.
It equalled the BBL’s fastest-ever century set by Craig Simmons for Perth Scorchers in 2014.
The 23-year-old needed just 16 balls to reach his 50, the fastest ever in a BBL Final and the third fastest in competition history.
The Hurricanes coasted to victory with seven wickets and 35 balls to spare.
Owen belted 11 sixes and six fours before he was eventually caught in the deep off spinner Tom Andrews early in the 11th over.
His 11 sixes were the most in a game by a Hurricane, eclipsing current teammate Ben McDermott’s nine.
The hosts put the match to bed with an enormous Owen-dominated power surge of 0-74, sending the purple army of 15,076 into raptures.
His opening batting partner Caleb Jewell had the best seat in the house as the Hurricanes set the tone by taking 23 runs off Nathan McAndrews’ first over of the innings, with Owen belting a six and two fours.
The second over from Andrews went for 17 runs, with Owen launching a second massive six over midwicket as the Hurricanes flew to 0-40 off just two overs.
He then dispatched Wes Agar for three more sixes and 22 runs in the third over, the Thunder having no answers as the Hurricanes marched to a maiden title.
Owen kept things low key when interviewed by Fox Cricket shortly after his dismissal.
“It was pretty special, but all I really want is these next 30 runs and it’ll be even more special,” Owen said.
“I’ve got a lot of friends and family out here and it’s something I’ve dreamt of for a long time.”
In the lead-up to Monday’s decider, this masthead asked former Test skipper and Hurricanes head of strategy Ricky Ponting if Owen’s spectacular season has him poised to be hot property worldwide.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that (IPL teams will chase him),” Ponting said.
“Even other comps around the world as well, not just the IPL, there’ll be other competitions looking at him really closely already.”
Owen only played a handful of BBL games before this season, but the decision to move him to the top of the order has paid off spectacularly.
“I’m just trying to work out where he’s been the last three or four years,” Australia great Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket’s commentary.
Earlier it appeared the Thunder had set up a challenging run chase for the Hurricanes, with openers David Warner and Jason Sangha starring in their 7-182.
In his third game since returning from a shoulder injury, Sangha belted 67 off just 42 balls to set up the visitors’ challenging total of 7-182.
Only an inspired rearguard action from Hurricanes skipper Nathan Ellis (3-23 off four overs), and impressive back end bowling from Riley Meredith (3-27), prevented the total from being bigger.
It’s not often superstar Warner plays second fiddle but he did just that in the four-over power play, with Sangha scoring 30 off 13 delivers and Warner ten off 11.
For the next six overs it was Warner who turned aggressor, the Thunder rocketing to 0-97 at the ten-over halfway mark.
Immediately after the break Ellis delivered two crucial blows in as many balls, dismissing Warner caught behind for 48 off 32 balls, before he deceived in-form Matt Gilkes with a slow delivery to bowl him for a golden duck.
The breakthroughs were vital as the Hurricanes went on to turn a dominant campaign into a maiden title.
It was left to Thunder skipper Warner to sum up Owen’s unbelievable knock perfectly.
“There’s nothing you can do when a bloke comes out and hits them like that,” Warner shrugged simply on Channel Seven.
Recap all the action in our live blog below.
Originally published as BBL final: Mitch Owen blasts record-equalling ton as Hurricanes claim first Big Bash title
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