IT’S CLOSE TO A MIRACLE

Stunning comeback by Hobart after looking gone against Heat

THE Hurricanes were praying for one more miracle to make their finals dream a reality after their bowlers pulled off a stunning comeback victory against Brisbane Heat at Launceston on Wednesday.

Needing a win to move to fifth spot, then rely on Melbourne Stars beating Sydney Thunder later on Wednesday night to make finals, the Hurricanes looked gone when the Heat moved to 4-102 after 16 overs, chasing 121 to win.

Only a patient knock on a tricky pitch from recalled batter Mac Wright (56 off 56 balls), coming off strong CTPL form with Lindisfarne, gave Hobart any hope of keeping their season alive as they battled to 9-120 on a tricky pitch.

The Heat were in strife early at 4-30 after Test stars Usman Khawaja (10), Marnus Labuschagne (five) and Matt Renshaw (two) all fell cheaply.

But after Jimmy Peirson (39) and Sam Hain (26) put on 73 for the fifth wicket the Heat looked assured of clinching third spot, and avoiding the ‘Eliminator’ between fourth and fifth to start the finals.

But after Hain was dismissed, Peirson fell victim to a superb diving catch from Zak Crawley off the bowling of Nathan Ellis (2-26) and the tail couldn’t find the runs as the Heat fell just short on 8-118.

The Hurricanes brought strike bowlers Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith back earlier than planned to try to break Peirson and Hain’s resistance, which left the pressure of bowling the final over to part-time spinner Tim David.

Needing 10 off three balls, a full toss was dispatched by James Bazley for six, but David held his composure with two fine last balls to seal the win.

Meredith was also superb with 2-12 off his four overs.

“I was happy for Tim to take it (last over), I usually bowl that over,” Ellis joked afterwards.

“For a part time spinner like Tim to do that, I’m amazed.

“We took a risk earlier (in bringing strike bowlers back earlier) and knew he’d have to bowl the 20th.

“We bowled Riley and myself out early, broke the partnership and got a couple of new batters in there, and that proved the difference.

“In a season where our fielding hasn’t been the strongest point, Zak has been great.

“He’s dragged us up with him and that run out (of Test star Matt Renshaw earlier) was also crucial.”

Ellis was rapt for Wright, who began his knock slowly as part of a rejigged Hurricanes top six, but eventually played what proved a matchwinning role.

“He came off a bit frustrated but in the end it’s a matchwinning knock,” Ellis said.

“I’m a close friend of Mac’s and I’m quite proud of him. He’s had a tough couple of years through Covid and hasn’t played much cricket.

“He had a bad hammy at the start of the season so to get the chance and get thrown in the deep end, in the end it was a match-winning knock.”

Brisbane seamer Michael Neser, who claimed 4-35 off four overs, hopes the hard lessons will be learned before the finals begin.

“Both teams had chances to win it, which from our point is frustrating because we botched it up,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say it was the best wicket but it made for an entertaining game in the end.”

Hobart is hopeful spinner Paddy Dooley will be fit to play finals should they qualify after he was ruled out of the Heat clash with a recurring groin injury.

The Hurricanes faced a nervous wait on Wednesday afternoon to see if the bottom-placed Stars did them a favour against the Thunder.

If Hobart plays finals, they will feature in the ‘Eliminator’ on Friday night.