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Hobart’s title defence begins in tense fashion as Konstas cops injury
SEN • December 17th, 2025 9:47 am
Reigning BBL champions Hobart Hurricanes started their title defence with a thrilling triumph over the Sydney Thunder on Tuesday night.
It came down to the second last ball of the match with Chris Jordan hitting the winning runs for the Hurricanes who got the job done at Bellerive Oval.
The Thunder batted first and set a defendable total of 6/180 with Cam Bancroft making 61 off 44 while Shadab Khan (34 off 24), Sam Konstas (28 off 25), Matt Gilkes (20 off 7) and Daniel Sams (23 not out off 11) all contributing.
Konstas was struck on the arm by Riley Meredith during this impressive knock and was unable to field for the Thunder.
Billy Stanlake bowled superbly for the ‘Canes with figures of 3/34 including the scalps of top three Gilkes, Kostas and Bancroft. Jordan chipped in with 2/36.
In response, the Hurricanes timed their run perfectly but it was not without a few scares along the way.
Nikhil Chaudhary top-scored with 41 (off 31), Ben McDermott made 38 (off 24) and Mitch Owen fired 32 (off 14) at the top of the order.
There was a calamitous moment in the field when Owen top edged off Sams into the Hobart night sky. Hesitant Thunder pair Ollie Davies and Tanveer Sangha both looked on as the ball fell between them.
As it went down to the wire, Matt Wade (25 off 16) and Tim David (17 off 9) produced some vital runs before Jordan and captain Nathan Ellis held their nerve at the death to see the ‘Canes home.
