After Owen blows Thunder away with equal-fastest ton, Hurricanes win first BBL title
Mitch Owen delivered a stunning performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) final, scoring a record-equalling century off just 39 balls to lead the Hobart Hurricanes to their first T20 title with a seven-wicket victory over Sydney Thunder at Bellerive Oval. After Thunder set a competitive target of 182 runs, Owen’s explosive batting ensured a swift chase, as he reached 108 runs from only 42 deliveries, featuring 11 sixes and six fours.
The Hurricanes began their innings strongly, racing to 98 without losing a wicket during the powerplay. Owen’s fifty came off a mere 16 balls, setting a new record for the fastest fifty in a BBL final. Despite losing two early wickets, he continued to dominate the Thunder bowlers, matching Craig Simmons’ record from 2014 for the fastest century in BBL history.
After Owen’s dismissal, veteran Matthew Wade (32 not out) and Ben McDermott (18 not out) guided the team to victory with 35 balls to spare. This win marks a historic achievement for the Hurricanes, who had not previously claimed the BBL title. Captain Nathan Ellis praised Owen’s performance and the team’s overall brilliance throughout the season.