Hobart Hurricanes clinch final playoff spot with tight victory over Renegades

The Hurricanes defeated Melbourne Renegades by six runs to extend their lead over sixth-placed Melbourne Stars to an unassailable five points

Melbourne: Hobart Hurricanes 182-5, Melbourne Renegades 176-6 – Hobart Hurricanes won by six runs

Hobart Hurricanes have clinched the final playoff spot in the 2021-22 Big Bash with one game to spare after narrowly defeating Melbourne Renegades by six runs.

The Hurricanes, who started the day just two points clear of sixth-placed Melbourne Stars picked up three points at the Docklands Stadium to extend their advantage to an unassailable five points. They will join Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers in the playoffs.

Batting first, the Hurricanes lost Ben McDermott (3) inside the powerplay before Caleb Jewell and a resurgent Matthew Wade added 67 runs (51 balls) for the second wicket.

Wickets tumbled steadily in the second half of the innings, with Jewell (35 off 28), Wade (48 off 39) and Jordan Thompson (9 off 4) all departing before the end of the 16th over. Cameron Boyce and Josh Lalor were the wicket-takers as Hobart slipped to 119 for 4.

However, the arrival of Tim David in the middle changed the complexion of the match, with the Singapore international blasting 34 runs off 15 balls as part of a 51-run (22 ball) partnership with D’Arcy Short. Lalor removed Short in the final over but that didn’t prevent David from scoring 12 runs off the final five balls as he finished unbeaten on 46 off 20.

^{Aaron Finch scored a half-century for Melbourne Renegades [Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images}]

In reply, James Seymour and Aaron Finch got the Renegades off to a fast start, blasting 37 runs from 20 balls.

Shaun Marsh replaced Seymour in the fourth over and together with Finch added 101 runs (70 balls) for the second wicket. The former was removed by Sandeep Lamichhane with the Renegades 45 runs shy of victory with 31 balls and eight wickets remaining.

Finch continued the charge and his side headed into the final two overs with 18 required and seven wickets in hand, Unmukt Chand departing for six in the previous over.

However, Tom Rogers had other ideas, conceding just three runs and removing Finch and Jono Merlo in the space of two balls to tip the equation – 15 off six – back in Hobart’s favour.

And despite the best efforts of Sam Harper and Will Sutherland, who hit the penultimate delivery of the innings for four before being caught off a Riley Meredith full toss as he attempted a six, the Renegades couldn’t get over the line.

Finch top-scored for the Renegades with 75 off 52 while Rogers picked up 3 for 35. Meredith (1 for 27) and Lamichhane (2 for 27) were the other wicket-takers.

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