It was certainly one of the best finishes in this year’s Champions League T20 tournament as the Hobart Hurricanes defeated the Cape Cobras by six wickets in Hyderabad today in scintillating fashion, with one over to spare.
At one point it looked as the match is heading for a tight finish, but a no-ball from Vernon Philander in the 18th over changed the complexion of the game, as Aiden Blizzard demolished the Cobras in the final two overs to snatch all four points from the tie.
Would it not been a no-ball and some wayward bowling from Philander, the Cobras were in with more than a decent chance, after posting a competitive 184 on the board.
The Cobras did pretty well in defending a good total by picking some quick wickets in the middle, after surviving an early assault from Ben Dunk. Dunk and skipper Tim Paine made a 51-run partnership for the first wicket, with the former doing much of a scoring.
After Paine’s (7) departure, Dunk continued to thrash the South Africans until Sybrand Engelbrecht got rid of him. The Hurricanes were put on the back foot when Shoaib Malik (8) and Travis Birt (7) fell cheaply in a space of two overs.
The Hurricanes, however, with a pinch of luck, were driven home by Jonathan Well (17 not out) and Blizzard (78 not out), who finished the innings with a massive six. They stitched an unbeaten 64 runs partnership for the fifth wicket.
Earlier, on a batting friendly pitch, the Cobras decided to bat and posted a competitive total. They, however, lost Hashim Amla (8) cheaply but Richard Levi (42) and played a scorching innings to put them back on track.
The Cobras, after the departure of Levi, struggled for partnerships and were knotted by the Hurricanes. Philander and Robin Peterson stitched a scorching unbeaten 54 runs partnership for the seventh wicket and the Cobras finished their innings on top.
Philander, in particular, was instrumental in increase the ante and made an unbeaten 14-ball 34, including five boundaries and one six, while Peterson scored an unbeaten 14-ball 25.
The Hurricanes bowlers had nothing really to show as they were hammered all over the park. Ben Hilfenhaus and Ben Laughlin picked two wickets each, while Joe Mennie and Doug Bollinger took one wicket apiece.
