Big Bash League final: Mitchell Owen blasts Hurricanes to victory over Thunder
Big Bash League final: Mitchell Owen blasts Hurricanes to victory over Thunder
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An inspired Mitchell Owen has produced the innings of his career, thrashing a mighty century to rout the Sydney Thunder and deliver the Hobart Hurricanes a maiden Big Bash League title. Owen struck 108 in 42 balls, including the competition’s equal-fastest century on Monday night as the Hurricanes delighted a capacity crowd at Bellerive Oval.
![[Ecstatic Hobart fans during the Big Bash League final.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/37ece5c45ef9b8220400fd38fc9aeab72ffe6699/0_0_3000_2000/master/3000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Set 183 to win, Hobart reached the total with 35 balls to spare, with Matthew Wade (32 off 17) also superb late on. While Ben McDermott struck the winning runs with a ramp over the wicketkeeper, sparking purple fireworks in the Tasmanian capital, there was no doubting the night belonged to Owen.
![[Nathan Ellis celebrates after dismissing Matthew Gilkes for a golden duck.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7e78ea457f8dc06e6f5f04c6c5e16cbf40d52348/0_0_3000_2000/master/3000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The Thunder came into the final as underdogs and were sent in after losing the toss, but had every right to be pleased with their tally of 7-182, powered by a 97-run opening stand between Jason Sangha and David Warner. That was, until Hobart’s hometown hero began fireworks of his own.
Owen raised his bat for a half-century in just the fourth over, powering on with 11 sixes – a BBL final record – and six fours as he reached triple figures. Wes Agar went for particular punishment, conceding three sixes in four balls in an early sign of intent.
The innings also confirmed Owen’s place as this season’s leading run-scorer in the BBL, the unheralded 23-year-old overtaking Warner midway through his huge score. Owen had a chance to strike the fastest outright century in BBL history, only for a boundary to fall just short of the rope.
