Mitch Owen’s absurdity leads Hobart to Big Bash victory

The cricket world couldn’t believe what they were seeing when one star delivered one of the greatest innings ever seen in cricket.

Mitchell Owen take a bow.

The Hobart opener etched his name into the record books with a truly absurd display on Monday night as the Hurricanes defeated the Sydney Thunder to win the Big Bash title.

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Owens strolled to the crease knowing his team needed 184 runs to secure victory in the final and what came next, nobody saw coming.

The 23-year-old all-rounder wasted no time getting into the swing of things as he went after the Thunder bowling attack.

Fans in attendance at Bellerive Oval were treated to a historic show with Owen unleashing six after six.

He brought up his half century after only 16 deliveries and then had a shot at capturing the record for the fastest Big Bash century, but had to settle with equalling Craig Simmons’ feat after notching his century from 39 deliveries.

Watch every boundary from Owen’s absurd knock in the video player above

The night belonged to Mitch Owen. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images.

Mitch Owen was unstoppable. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images.

His innings ultimately came to an end with 108 runs on the board from 42 balls and was rightfully met with a standing ovation as he made his way off.

The 23-year-old finished with 11 sixes and six fours to his name.

The absurd knock from the towering opener left those watching on in sheer disbelief and had fans all labelling it the greatest innings the Big Bash has ever seen.

“That is some of the most brutal hitting we’ve ever seen in the Big Bash – if not the world in T20 cricket,” Aussie legend Michael Hussey told Fox Cricket post-match.

“He just completely destroyed the Sydney Thunder.”

AAP’s Oliver Caffrey wrote on X: “Mitch Owen won’t have to buy a beer in Tassie ever again. Quite simply the greatest knock in BBL history.”

The Advocate’s Alex Fair wrote: “To do this in a final is simply extraordinary from Owen. One of the very best T20 knocks ever.”

Code Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy wrote: “A 39-ball century in a final is remarkable. Take a bow, Mitch Owen. One of, if not, the tournament’s best ever knock.”

The Big Bash League wrote: “Insanity. That was absurd from Mitch Owen.”

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Mitch Owen of the Hurricanes celebrates scoring a century during the BBL The Final match between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder at Ninja Stadium on January 27, 2025 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Owen’s damaging display even saw Aussie icon Mark Waugh suggest the Hurricanes opener could be in line for an Australian call-up in the future.

“The Australian selectors would have to be taking notice of Mitch Owen’s batting in this tournament,” Waugh said.

“In the T20 level obviously, as good hitting as I’ve seen in a long time in this tournament. Fields well, can bowl.

“He’s crunched anything in his arc, whether it be spin or pace.”

His heroics helped the Hurricanes to a dominant seven-wicket win with the home side reaching the required total with 35 ball to spare.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Owen said during the post-match presentation.

“I’m kind of lost for words.”

The Sydney Thunder looked well on track to post a monster total after David Warner and Jason Sangha got the innings underway with a 97-run stand from 10 overs.

After Warner departed on 48, Sangha fought valiantly as he etched 67 runs to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

In the end however it mattered little as Owen and the Hurricanes surged to their first ever Big Bash crown.

Ben McDermott hit the winning runs in style as they secured the seven-wicket victory with 35 balls remaining.

Originally published as Mitch Owen’s absurdity leads Hobart to Big Bash victory