Hobart Hurricanes kept their dream of back-to-back titles alive with a nerve-jangling three-run DLS victory over Melbourne Stars in a rain-hit Knockout final at Ninja Stadium, ending the Stars’ campaign in heartbreaking fashion. In a match shaped by persistent rain, shifting targets and late drama, Hurricanes held their composure when it mattered most to book a showdown with Sydney Sixers at the SCG.
After repeated delays, the contest was reduced to 10 overs per side, and Hurricanes posted 114 for 5, anchored by a powerful 47 from Beau Webster. Stars’ revised target was later cut to 85 from seven overs, and while they appeared well behind the curve for much of the chase, a stunning late assault from Hilton Cartwright dragged the game to the final delivery before falling agonisingly short.
Stars’ chase began chaotically, with Tom Rogers bowled first ball by Riley Meredith, before another rain interruption threatened abandonment. Once play resumed, Stars required 57 after five overs to stay ahead on DLS, and Joe Clarke’s 31 briefly kept them in contention before he holed out at a critical moment. With flu-ravaged Sam Harper retiring out and Glenn Maxwell unable to spark a turnaround, the equation ballooned to 26 needed from the final over.
The drama peaked when Marcus Stoinis fell with 19 still required, seemingly ending Stars’ hopes. But Cartwright produced a stunning counterattack, two boundaries followed by a six, to leave Stars needing just one big hit from the final ball. Hurricanes held their nerve, however, as Mitchell Owen nailed a perfect yorker, restricting Cartwright to a single and sealing a famous win.
Earlier, Hurricanes overcame a stuttering middle phase thanks to Webster’s calm power-hitting, including three sixes in the final over, which transformed a modest total into a competitive one. Stars’ legspinner Mitchell Swepson was outstanding with a miserly spell, but costly fielding errors and Tom Curran’s expensive final over proved decisive in the slippery conditions.
The victory sends Hurricanes into a Challenger final against Sydney Sixers, with a place in Sunday’s (25) decider against Perth Scorchers on the line. For the Stars, another season ends without silverware, their quest for a maiden title once again undone by fine margins, rain, and a cruel final ball.
