Gun bats fight fire with fire

TWO batters were concussion-tested, and needed helmets replaced, as the Hobart Hurricanes withstood a ferocious pace barrage from the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium last night to set the home team the highest semi-final run-chase in BBL history.

It was a master class with the bat for the Hobart Hurricanes — a dream innings in their first Big Bash semi-final since BBL03.

The Cane Train steamrolled the best bowling attack in the competition, which included smashing former Test gun Mitchell Johnson (0-43) for the most runs he has conceded this season.

Johnson’s previous worst was against the Hurricanes at the WACA two weeks ago.

It was enough to impress Australian ODI legend Mike Hussey.

“A lot of credit needs to go to Matthew Wade for he got the innings off to a rollicking start and what a finish by Dan Christian and Ben McDermott — they batted with a lot of power,” Hussey said.

Going into the do-or-die match, the Hurricanes had every right to feel short-changed that Travis Head was released from Australian T20 duties to play for the Strikers against the Renegades tonight, but the Big Bash League’s “sultan of swing” D’Arcy Short missed Hobart’s date with the Scorchers.

In the absence of Short, Wade opened for the third game in a row and put a blowtorch on the home team.

He showed no respect to the Scorchers’ fearsome attack as he blasted it all around the $1.5 billion Stadium in front of 50,874 fans.

Wade put on a masterclass opening the innings with Test keeper Tim Paine, who was an onlooker as his left-handed teammate went nuclear.

Wade bashed 71 runs off 45 balls, including 10 fours and a six, and brought up his 50 off 31 balls in the eighth over, getting the Cane Train off to a brilliant start.

When Wade went, Ben McDermott took up the slack, belting 67 off 30 batting with Dan Christian (37 off 22) to set a mammoth run chase.