Hobart Hurricanes delivered a masterclass in clinical T20 cricket, securing a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades in the eighth match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. A stellar four-wicket haul by Chris Jordan followed by a blistering batting display from Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott ensured the Hurricanes chased down their target with more than six overs to spare.

Chris Jordan’s bowling masterclass stifles Renegades

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Hurricanes’ pace attack immediately put the Renegades on the back foot. Riley Meredith set the tone early, dismissing Josh Brown for an 8-ball duck. While Tim Seifert (34) and Mohammad Rizwan (32) attempted to stabilize the innings with a 62-run partnership, the momentum shifted once the Hurricanes’ spinners entered the fray.

The middle order collapsed under pressure as Rishad Hossain and Rehan Ahmed picked up crucial wickets, including the dangerous Jake Fraser-McGurk. However, it was Chris Jordan who emerged as the wrecker-in-chief. Jordan dismantled the lower order, finishing with remarkable figures of 4/19. His ability to execute yorkers and slower balls left the Renegades reeling at 145-9 after their allotted 20 overs. Nathan Ellis supported well with 2/43, ensuring no late-inning fireworks from the Melbourne tail.

Nikhil Chaudhary’s explosive cameo sets the tone

The Hurricanes’ chase started with a minor hiccup as Mitchell Owen fell to Jason Behrendorff on the very first ball of the innings. Despite the early setback, the Hurricanes did not retreat. Nikhil Chaudhary walked to the crease and completely hijacked the game’s tempo.

Chaudhary played a sensational knock of 79 off just 38 deliveries, boasting a massive strike rate of 207.89. His innings was peppered with seven boundaries and four towering sixes, effectively killing the contest during the powerplay and the middle overs. By the time he was caught off the bowling of Gurinder Sandhu, the Hurricanes were already sitting comfortably at 131-3, needing less than 20 runs for victory.

Ben McDermott and Tim David seal the deal for Hobart

While Chaudhary provided the fireworks, Ben McDermott played the perfect anchor-turned-aggressor role. McDermott remained unbeaten on 49 from 33 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. His composure ensured that the Renegades’ bowling attack, led by Adam Zampa and Will Sutherland, never had a chance to build sustained pressure.

The chase was wrapped up in just 13.5 overs when Tim David joined McDermott to apply the finishing touches. The Hurricanes finished at 149-3, recording a run rate of 10.77 – a testament to their aggressive approach.

This victory provides a significant boost to the Hurricanes’ net run rate, making them a formidable force early in the season. For Renegades, the lack of a substantial total despite having wickets in hand during the middle overs will be a point of concern for captain Will Sutherland.