High stakes Big Bash League|15 Hobart Hurricanes defended a competitive 178/6 against the Adelaide Strikers in the 28th over at Blundstone Arena. The Hurricanes placed 178 thanks to explosive cameos Mitchell Owen (33 off 9) and Rehan Ahmed (29 off 17), sets a tough target under the lights in Hobart. Chasing 179, the Strikers collapsed dramatically in the powerplay, slumping to 19/4 after 4 overs, with the Hurricanes leading the pace attack Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis causing early slaughter.
Riley Meredith bowls Mackenzie Harvey with a killer yorker in BBL|15.
Meredith produced a moment of pure fast-bowling magic, denying the Adelaide Strikers’ opener. Mackenzie Harvey for a golden duck in just his second ball of the shot. A blazing 142km/hr, good length delivery that moved on middle and outside off before pulling sharply back off the seam. Playing down the line off the front foot, Harvey completely misread the trajectory, allowing the ball to sneak through the wicket and break the stumps, spinning the bails.
It was Meredith’s second strike to dismiss the skipper for the first time in 2-1-7-2. Matthew Short for 2. Known for his raw pace and BBL pedigree, the 27-year-old Tasmanian slinger (16 wickets in BBL|14) has channeled his international experience against T20Is. England and Pakistan. Harvey’s exit left the Strikers at 7/2 after 1.3 overs and highlighted Meredith’s threat to stitch up the Hobart pitches.
We present the video:
2-0! 😱 Amazing from Riley Meredith! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/agJYFSoFZI
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 9, 2026
Also READ: Ben Dwarshuis, Joel Davies shine as Sydney Sixers play Melbourne Stars in low-scoring thriller.
The Adelaide Strikers stumbled early in their power play chase against the Hobart Hurricanes
Adelaide Strikers’ chase opened spectacularly in a forced powerplay (1-4 over), conceding 19 runs for 4 wickets, needing 179 in 20 overs. Captain Short fell first Nikhil Chaudhary Off Meredith for 2 (7/1, 1.1 ov). Harvey’s death immediately followed (7/2, 1.3 ov). Chris Lynn edged Nathan Ellis to the goalkeeper Matthew Wade 5 for (7/3, 2.3 overs) – A DRS review by the Hurricanes upheld the decision after umpire Tony Penman initially did not.
Jason Sangha then perished, trailing Ellis’ accuracy for 0 (8/4, 2.6 catches). Liam Scott and Harry Manenti between the overs adding 11 runs (4 overs) but the required rate rose from a power play rate of 4.75 to 10.00.
Hurricanes’ bowlers dominated the powerplay with exceptional performances. The probability of victory is 93.10% favoring the Hurricanes, the Strikers need 160 off 96 balls. This reflects the Strikers’ BBL|15 struggles, losing 4 of their previous 6 games.
