George Bailey’s unbeaten knock of 70 was not enough to lead the Hobart Hurricanes to victory
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
George Bailey walloped an unbeaten 70, but it was not enough to stop the Hobart Hurricanes from losing to the Melbourne Renegades by six wickets.
The Hurricanes’ loss was their first of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) season, and it also snapped their perfect record, which lasted for five games.
Opting to bowl first, the Renegades got the early breakthrough they were looking for as Hurricanes captain Matthew Wade was caught behind off the bowling of Kane Richardson for nine runs.
Alex Doolan suffered the same fate the very next ball and had to trudge back to the pavilion with a golden duck next to his name.
D’Arcy Short, who opened the batting with Wade, was the next to go as he was caught and bowled by Usman Khan Shinwari for two runs.
With the Hurricanes struggling at 11/3, George Bailey and Ben McDermott came to the rescue with a 102-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their fifties.
Long & strong! 💪
The @HurricanesBBL duo of McDermott and Bailey have put on 100+ and all of a sudden the 'Canes are looking good! #BBL08 | @Weet_Bix pic.twitter.com/qlWAi4Ox7k
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 7, 2019
McDermott was unable to convert his half-century into a bigger score as he was dismissed by Jack Wildermuth for 50, which came off 43 balls and included three boundaries and two sixes.
Simon Milenko fell shortly after, but with Bailey going on to make a 53-ball 70, which included six boundaries and two sixes, the Hurricanes finished on 145/5 off their 20 overs.
George! The #BBL08 @Dream11 MVP of the Day thanks to his 70* Would you believe only 36% of players picked him?! Make sure you select teams for the next matches – awesome daily prizes up for grabs HERE! https://t.co/ac2cyecBQq pic.twitter.com/7TrqFeLNqt
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 7, 2019
Richardson was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Shinwari and Wildermuth chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 146 to win, the Renegades lost opener Mackenzie Harvey early on as he was caught behind off the bowling of Riley Meredith for seven runs.
Renegades skipper Aaron Finch and Sam Harper made up for the loss of Harvey with a 64-run partnership before Harper was trapped lbw off the bowling of Clive Rose for 32.
Finch went on to score a 39-ball 42, which included three boundaries and a six, before he was run out by Johan Botha.
Even though Tom Cooper fell soon after, Dan Christian and Mohammad Nabi mopped up the remaining runs to lead the Renegades to victory.
Nabi finished on 26, while Christian remained undefeated on 25.
Meredith, Botha and Rose claimed one wicket each.
Harper was named Man of the Match.