HURRICANES STORM TO MASSIVE VICTORY ON GSL DEBUT
In the third game of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League at Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Hobart Hurricanes XI’s defeated Dubai Capitals by 7 wickets with 18 balls remaining.
Hurricanes captain Ben McDermott won the toss and inserted the Dubai outfit even though the Capitals had seen success defending a target in the first match of this year’s (GSL).
A score of 141-8 felt below par and so it proved, the Hurricanes knocking off the runs in some comfort to get their campaign off to a winning start.
Things started well for the capitals, Sediqullah Atal blitzed 25 from 9 balls, clearing the boundaries for two sixes before Mohammad Nabi cleaned him up, Fabian Allen clinging on to a steepling catch as the batter sought another maximum but mistimed the stroke.
Allen then dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for 12 with his slow left arm tweakers and Nabi popped up again to pocket dangerman Shakib Al Hasan for just 7 to leave the Capitals stuttering on 55-4 after seven overs.
Shakib had just passed 7,500 runs in T20s with a six off Nabi but then fell the very next ball caught behind by McDermott. Success and failure in cricket are happy bedfellows.
A rain shower delayed proceedings, but it was much the same for the Capitals once the players re-took the field. They eventually made it up to a competitive total of 141-8 thanks to some lower order runs from Kadeem Alleyne (14), Jesse Bootan (18) and Dominic Drakes (11). Both Nabi and Allen finishing on identical figures of 3/21 before Hobart Hurricanes XI made short work of the chase.
A 78 run partnership between Hobart Hurricanes XI’s captain and opening batter Ben McDermott and number 3 Macalister Wright broke the back of the Capital’s total. Zinc cheeked leg-spinner Qais Ahmed spun a wonderful ball through McDermott’s defences to deprive him of a half century, a fizzing delivery pitching on middle and knocking back the off stump to bowl him for a well-made 48 off 24 balls that included five fours and three muscular sixes.
Southpaw Australian batter Jake Doran joined Wright in the middle as they cruised towards the finish line, Wright made it to his 50 off 47 balls but couldn’t see his side over the line with just a handful of runs needed.
The Hurricanes were never in danger though and chalked up the win just moments later in brilliant Providence sunshine. McDermott was named Player of the Match.
For match photos from this game. please click here. This can be used for editorial purposes. CREDIT: GSLT20/Getty Images.
