In a high-stakes Big Bash League|15 encounter at Blundstone Arena, Hobart Hurricanes defend a competitive 178/6 against Adelaide Strikers in the 28th match. The Hurricanes posted 178 thanks to explosive cameos from Mitchell Owen (33 off 9) and Rehan Ahmed (29 off 17), setting a challenging target under lights in Hobart. Chasing 179, the Strikers collapsed dramatically in the powerplay, slumping to 19/4 after 4 overs, with Hurricanes’ pace attack led by Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis inflicting early carnage.
Riley Meredith rattles Mackenzie Harvey with a lethal yorker in BBL|15
Meredith produced a moment of pure fast-bowling magic, dismissing Adelaide Strikers’ opener Mackenzie Harvey for a golden duck in just his second ball of the innings. Clocked at a fiery 142kph, the good-length delivery pitched on middle-and-off before nipping back sharply off the seam. Harvey, playing across the line from the front foot, completely misread the trajectory, allowing the ball to sneak through the gate and shatter the stumps, sending the bails cartwheeling.
This was Meredith’s second strike in a maiden-over spell of 2-1-7-2, having earlier removed captain Matthew Short for 2. The 27-year-old Tasmanian slinger, known for his raw pace and BBL pedigree (16 wickets in BBL|14), channeled his international experience from T20Is against England and Pakistan. Harvey’s exit left Strikers at 7/2 after 1.3 overs, underscoring Meredith’s threat on seaming Hobart pitches.
Here’s the video:
2-0! 😱 An incredible over from Riley Meredith! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/agJYFSoFZI
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 9, 2026
Adelaide Strikers stumble early in powerplay chase against Hobart Hurricanes
Adelaide Strikers’ chase unraveled spectacularly in the mandatory powerplay (overs 1-4), conceding 19 runs for 4 wickets while needing 179 in 20 overs. Captain Short fell first, holing out to Nikhil Chaudhary off Meredith for 2 (7/1, 1.1 ov). Harvey’s demise followed immediately (7/2, 1.3 ov), then Chris Lynn edged Nathan Ellis to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for 5 (7/3, 2.3 ov) – a DRS review by Hurricanes upheld the decision after umpire Tony Penman initially gave it not out.
Jason Sangha perished next, caught behind off Ellis’ pinpoint accuracy for 0 (8/4, 2.6 ov). Liam Scott and Harry Manenti dug in, adding 11 runs amid extras (4 byes), but the required rate ballooned to 10.00 from a powerplay run rate of 4.75.
Hurricanes’ bowlers dominated the powerplay with their exceptional performance. Win probability tilted 93.10% to Hurricanes, with Strikers needing 160 off 96 balls. This mirrors Strikers’ BBL|15 struggles, losing 4 of 6 prior games.
