Doggett 4-for leads Sydney Thunder to dominant victory over Hobart Hurricanes

Callan Morse Published January 2, 2023 at 10.29am (AWST)

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Worimi speedster Brendan Doggett took a season best four wickets against the Hobart Hurricanes in Albury. Image: Paul Kane/Stringer.

A season-best bowling performance from Worimi quick Brendan Doggett led the Sydney Thunder to victory in their New Year's Eve clash with the Hobart Hurricanes.

The fast bowler took four wickets in the Hurricanes' unsuccessful chase of the Thunder's mammoth 6-228, the fourth highest team total in Big Bash League history.

Doggett's figures of 4-35 included the crucial wicket of fellow Indigenous star D'Arcy Short (2), who after slashing hard at the first ball of Doggett's second over, was caught at point by Thunder young-gun Oliver Davies.

Doggett was brought back into the attack in the 12th over with the game in the balance at 3-127, ending the cameo innings of dangerous New Zealand international James Neesham (13 from 6), who was unable to get under a full Doggett delivery, caught cleanly by sub fielder Toby Gray at mid-off.

His second wicket began the demise of Hobart's chase, with three Hurricanes wickets falling in the next two overs.

With the score at 7-155 at the beginning of the 16th over Doggett went about ending the Hurricanes innings promptly, completing a sharp reflex catch to dismiss Hurricanes quick Nathan Ellis (7) before completing his four wicket hall with the dismissal of Joel Paris (4), who was caught comfortably after skying an on drive to Chris Green at mid-on.

How's the reflexes on Brendan Doggett?! #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/ByNWUMy0GE
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 31, 2022

The Hurricanes were bowled out the following over for 166, 62 runs short of the target score with Matthew Wade (67 from 30) the only Hurricanes batter to surpass 30.

Earlier in the match, Thunder's imposing first innings score was setup by a 105-run stand between England international Alex Hales (77 from 45) and Oliver Davies (65 from 32).

The pair struck a combined 19 boundaries in the Thunder's dismantling of the Hurricanes attack, which was also complimented by a fast-starting Thunder opener Matthew Gilkes (33 from 16).

The victory sees the Thunder sitting second on the BBL|12 ladder with four victories from seven matches, with the Hurricanes reeling in 8th position with two wins from five matches.

Doggett's bowling performance is his best since BBL|07, where he took 5-35 playing for the Brisbane Heat.

So far in BBL|12 he has taken eight wickets at a respectable average of 25.25 across seven innings.