BBL 2017/18 21st Match: Hurricanes survive Billings’ onslaught

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Sam Billings 61 Hobart Hurricanes Sydney Sixers BBL cricket

Sam Billings came up short in his bid to lead the Sixers to victory

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sydney Sixers batsman Sam Billings gave the Hobart Hurricanes quite a scare during their clash at the Bellerive Oval as he nearly guided his side to an incredible come-from-behind win.

With the Hurricanes managing to hold on for a five-run win, they moved up to fifth place on the Big Bash League standings, while the Sixers are second-last as they continue to remain winless after six games.

Electing to bat first, the Hurricanes did not get off to the start they would have been hoping for as opener Alex Doolan was dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis on the seventh ball of the match for three runs.

D’Arcy Short and Matthew Wade made up for the loss of Doolan with a 77-run partnership before Wade was caught by Billings at deep midwicket off the bowling of Jackson Bird for a 30-ball 41, which included five boundaries and a six.

Short went on to make 42 off 36 deliveries, which included three boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught by Sixers captain Johan Botha at mid-off off the bowling of Sean Abbott.

While captain George Bailey and Ben McDermott were removed shortly after, Dan Christian and Simon Milenko smashed 28 not out and 22 respectively to help the Hurricanes finish on 170/6.

Abbott was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Dwarshuis, Bird and Daniel Sams chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 171 to win, the Sixers made a similar start to the Hurricanes as they lost opener Jason Roy in the second over for nine runs.

Nic Maddinson fared no better as he was caught by McDermott at point off the bowling of Tymal Mills for seven runs.

Daniel Hughes, who opened the batting with Roy, managed to make 33 before he was sent packing by Christian.

Billings and Jordan Silk kept the Sixers in contention with a 60-run partnership before Silk was taken out by Mills for 45 off 37 balls, which included two boundaries and two sixes.

Despite losing Silk, Billings took things down to the wire as in the last over the Sixers needed 22 runs to win. After scoring just four runs off the first three balls, Billings smashed two sixes off the next two balls to leave the Sixers requiring six runs off the last ball of the match.

However, Billings could not get the job done as he missed the ball, which allowed the Hurricanes to escape with a narrow win.

Billings ended up making 61 off 31 balls, which included six boundaries and three sixes.

Mills was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Christian and Clive Rose claimed one wicket each.

Billings was named Man of the Match.

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