Wade's Blitz Seals Hurricanes' Double Over Renegades in BBL Thriller.

Wade's Blitz Seals Hurricanes' Double Over Renegades in BBL Thriller.

Wade's Late Blitz Seals Double for Hurricanes Over Renegades in BBL Thriller.

                    In a pulsating Big Bash League encounter at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on December 29, 2025, the Hobart Hurricanes completed a season double over the Melbourne Renegades, chasing down 163 with four wickets in hand and six balls to spare.

            Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade played the finisher's role to perfection, smashing an unbeaten 43 off just 20 balls to guide his side home on a night when no other batter crossed 30.

Nathan Ellis, the Hurricanes skipper, starred with the ball earlier, claiming 3-30 and earning Player of the Match honors, while Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain provided crucial support with 2-34. The win propelled Hobart to a 4-1 record, consolidating their position near the top of the table, while the Renegades slipped to 1-2, languishing at the bottom.

Toss and Team News

Hobart Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis won the toss and elected to bowl first, backing his strong pace attack on a surface that offered early assistance under lights.

Hobart Hurricanes Playing XI: Mitchell Owen, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith.

Melbourne Renegades Playing XI: Josh Brown, Tim Seifert, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Peake, Hassan Khan, Will Sutherland (c), Gurinder Sandhu, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff.

Notable inclusions for Hobart were Matthew Wade and Beau Webster, returning from duties and injury respectively. The Renegades stuck largely to their combination, relying on international stars like Rizwan and Zampa.

Renegades Innings: Explosive Start Fizzles Out

The Renegades got off to a flyer, with Josh Brown hammering 16 runs off Riley Meredith's opening over. Brown (26 off 13) and Tim Seifert (26 off 14) looked ominous, racing to 50 in the powerplay.

However, Nathan Ellis struck in his first over, deceiving Brown with a clever slower ball. Rishad Hossain then entered the fray and made an immediate impact, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan (16) with a sharp leg-spin delivery caught at point.

Jake Fraser-McGurk threatened briefly with 14 off 8, but fell to Rishad, leaving the visitors reeling. Oliver Peake top-scored with 29 off 22, but regular wickets meant the Renegades could never truly accelerate.

Ellis returned to clean up the tail, while Chris Jordan and Meredith maintained tight lines. The innings ended at 162/9, a total that looked below par on a decent batting track but defendable with Zampa in the ranks.

Key bowling figures:
Nathan Ellis: 4-0-30-3
Rishad Hossain: 4-0-34-2
Chris Jordan: Tight spell with control in the death.
Hurricanes Chase: Wasted Starts Until Wade Takes Charge

Chasing 163, the Hurricanes started steadily but lost Mitchell Owen early. Tim Ward and Ben McDermott rebuilt, but Adam Zampa spun a web in the middle overs, claiming both in the same over to reduce Hobart to 59/3.

Beau Webster and Nikhil Chaudhary couldn't convert starts, and when Rehan Ahmed fell for 23, the equation was tricky at around 100/5.

Enter Matthew Wade. The experienced left-hander, batting at No. 6, took charge. He formed useful partnerships and unleashed in the death overs, smashing three sixes and crucial boundaries. His unbeaten 43 off 20 included a match-finishing four, sealing the win in the 19th over.

Adam Zampa was the pick of the Renegades bowlers with 3-25, but lacked sufficient support as Wade's calm demeanor proved decisive.

Hobart Hurricanes: 163/6 in 19 overs (Wade 43*, Zampa 3-25).

Key Performances and Turning Points
Matthew Wade's Finishing Masterclass: On a night of collapsed innings, Wade's composure stood out. His late assault – including consecutive six and four to end the game – evoked memories of his T20 World Cup heroics.

Nathan Ellis' Captain's Knock with the Ball: The skipper led from the front, breaking partnerships at crucial junctures. His variations were too good for the Renegades' aggressive batters.

Rishad Hossain's Impact: The young Bangladeshi spinner continued his impressive BBL debut season, removing Rizwan and Fraser-McGurk to stifle the middle order.
Adam Zampa's Lone Fight: The leg-spinner nearly turned the game with his triple strike, but the lack of runs on the board proved costly.

Venue and Conditions

The Bellerive Oval, known as Ninja Stadium, lived up to its reputation for entertaining cricket. A lively crowd turned up under lights, creating an electric atmosphere. The pitch offered early swing but flattened out, with dew playing a minor role in the chase.

Average first-innings scores at Bellerive this season have hovered around 170, making 162 slightly under par – a fact the Hurricanes exploited ruthlessly.

What It Means for the Teams

For the Hobart Hurricanes, this victory reinforces their status as genuine contenders. With a balanced side featuring international quality in Ellis, Jordan, Rishad, and Rehan, plus local heroes like Wade and Webster, they look well-equipped for a deep playoff run. The absence of Tim David due to injury was barely felt, thanks to Wade's heroics.

The Melbourne Renegades, meanwhile, face questions. Despite talents like Fraser-McGurk, Rizwan, and Zampa, inconsistency has plagued them. Captain Will Sutherland will need quick turnaround strategies as tougher fixtures loom.

This result marks the Hurricanes' second win over the Renegades in eight days, highlighting their dominance in this rivalry.

Player Spotlights

Matthew Wade: At 38, Wade proved age is just a number. His ability to absorb pressure and explode late makes him invaluable in T20 cricket.

Nathan Ellis: Player of the Match for the second time this season, Ellis' leadership and skill underscore his importance to both Hobart and Australia.

Rishad Hossain: The leg-spinner's confidence grows with every game. His wickets against quality batters signal a bright future.

Oliver Peake: The young Renegades batter showed promise with his 29, a silver lining in defeat.

Broader BBL Context

The Big Bash League 2025-26 has delivered high-octane action, with close finishes and individual brilliance. Hobart's form places them alongside frontrunners, while the Renegades must arrest their slide quickly in a compressed season.

As the tournament heats up heading into the new year, matches like this remind fans why BBL remains Australia's premier T20 spectacle – packed crowds, star power, and nail-biting drama.

The Hurricanes march on, fueled by Wade's win and Ellis' excellence. For the Renegades, it's back to the drawing board.