Sydney Thunder make it three on the spin with emphatic win over Hobart Hurricanes

Alex Hales and Ollie Davies made rapid half-centuries as Thunder piled up the runs in the first innings, before Hobart struggled to match the required rate in the chase, with only Matthew Wade stepping up to the test

Albury: Sydney Thunder 228-6, Hobart Hurricanes 166 - Sydney Thunder won by 62 runs

Scorecard

Sydney Thunder are on a roll. A destructive batting performance set the stage for a third straight Big Bash victory, as Hobart Hurricanes were put to the sword at the Lavington Sports Ground.

Alex Hales and Ollie Davies made rapid half-centuries as Thunder piled up the runs in the first innings, before Hobart struggled to match the required rate in the chase, with only Matthew Wade stepping up to the test.

Brendan Doggett claimed four wickets as Thunder rattled through the Hurricanes' batting lineup in 17 overs. 

^{Ollie Davies made a quick half-century for Sydney Thunder [Mark Evans/Getty Images]}

^{Alex Hales led the way at the top of the order [Mark Evans/Getty Images]}

After being asked to bat first after losing the toss, Thunder raced out of the blocks. Matthew Gilkes made 33 of a first-wicket partnership worth 36 with Alex Hales in just 3.1 overs, before Hales took over the leading man role after Gilkes's dismissal.

The England international became the first man to make a BBL fifty at Albury, and went on to hit 77 from 45 balls, with four sixes. 

He shared in a third-wicket stand of 105 in 8.4 overs with Davies, who was equally emphatic at the crease. The 22-year-old crashed five sixes and as many fours in making 65 from 32 deliveries. 

With Alex Ross throwing the bat at the death, Thunder were able to reach 228 for 6 - their second highest BBL score in the competition's history, just four shy of equally the record (232 for 5 against Sydney Sixers in 2021). Only one Hobart bowler - Nathan Ellis (4-37) - went at less than 10 runs per over.

^{Matthew Wade was the only Hobart Hurricanes batsman to make a mark [Mark Evans/Getty Images]}

^{Sydney Thunder have won three BBL games in a row [Mark Evans/Getty Images]}

It was always going to be a difficult chase for the Hurricanes, but for a brief period it appeared as though Wade could be the catalyst to something truly memorable.

The Australia international wicketkeeper raced to a 19-ball half-century with six sixes but once he was dismissed by Ben Cutting in the 11th over, Hobart ran out of ideas.

From 105 for 2 in 10.1 overs, they collapsed to 166 all out after 17, with Doggett (4-35) doing most of the damage.

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