Bethell goes ballistic but Renegades’ finals hopes thwarted by top-of-the-table Hurricanes

The Hobart Hurricanes are the rightful BBL|14 favourites after going two points clear on top of the table.

The Tasmanian outfit pulled off a four-wicket win with two balls remaining against the Melbourne Renegades in Hobart to return to the summit less than a week out from finals.

Tuesday night’s victory came despite the best efforts of promising English all-rounder Jacob Bethell who blasted 87 runs from 50 deliveries with eight fours and four sixes as the Renegades edged their way to a total of 7/154.

Bethell steadied the ship after a disastrous beginning which saw openers Josh Brown and Marcus Harris as well as no.3 Jake Fraser-McGurk all out in single figures.

Tim Seifert dropped down the order and provided some assistance for Bethell to finish with 24 (23 balls) while captain Will Sutherland (15 off 14) was the only other Renegade in double figures as his side reached a modest yet somewhat defendable score.

Riley Meredith was the pick of the Hurricanes bowlers with figures of 3/36.

In response the home side had their battles and at times looked like they’d fall short of the 155 target.

However, opener Mitch Owen (24 off 14), Nikhil Chaudhury (36 off 27), Matthew Wade (36 off 23) and Tim David (24 off 15) all contributed to the run chase with the latter coming up with a final-over six which helped his side across the line.

The victory did come at a cost for the ‘Canes with paceman Billy Stanlake injuring his shoulder when taking the catch to dismiss Brown. He faces a race against time to be fit for the impending knockout matches.

Next for the top-of-the-table Hurricanes is a clash with the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Thursday night before they wrap up the regular season against the in-form Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Sunday.

The Renegades have one fixture remaining - against the Heat at Marvel Stadium on Saturday - requiring a big win there while needing each of the four sides above them (Stars, Heat, Strikers and Scorchers) not to pick up any more points in their remaining matches if they are to make the playoffs.

BBL|14 continues on Wednesday night with the Strikers hosting the Sixers in Adelaide and you can hear all the action LIVE on SEN from 7:30pm AEDT.