Sydney Thunder make it six in a row by thrashing Hobart Hurricanes

Alex Hales continues his return to form with an unbeaten 80 not out as Thunder cruise home by nine wickets

Melbourne: Hobart Hurricanes 139-6, Sydney Thunder 1401 - Sydney Thunder won by nine wickets

Sydney Thunder took another step towards the Big Bash League playoffs with a sixth win in a row over Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.

Hurricanes chose to bat first but made just 139 for 6 from their 20 overs, with Ben McDermott top-scoring with 38.

Thirty-six off the last three overs pushed them towards a total of some respectability but it was never likely to be enough.

While Mohammad Hasnain and Tanveer Sangha kept things tight, the majority of the wickets went to Gurinder Sandhy (2 for 32) and Nathan McAndrew (2 for 31).

Despite Matthew Gilkes being dismissed in the fifth over, Thunder peeled off a routine chase to claim an eighth tournament win.

Having returned to form with a half-century against Melbourne Renegades, Alex Hales maintained that run with an unbeaten 80.

^{Nathan McAndrew was the pick of the Thunder bowlers (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)}

The English outcast cracked 11 fours and a six from 56 deliveries to punctuate a polished Thunder chase.

Jason Sangha added 35 but played second fiddle to Hales, who was at his breathtaking best.

The victory was secured with 16 balls to spare and puts Thunder within touching distance of the playoffs.

A single point from their final three matches should be enough to ensure they finish in the top five.

But the priority for the remainder of the group campaign will be to secure a top-two place and a berth in the Qualifier, which provides a direct route to the final.

Meanwhile, Hurricanes sit fourth in the table, six points ahead of Brisbane Heat in fifth.