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The Hobart Hurricanes have pulled off a 16-run victory over reigning Big Bash League champions the Sydney Sixers in the 2020-21 season opener.
Speedster Riley Meredith struck big blows as the Hobart Hurricanes claimed a 16-run victory over defending champions Sydney Sixers to open the Big Bash League.
Hobart's death bowling came to the fore on Thursday night at Blundstone Arena as they successfully defended 8-178, which looked slightly below par.
Meredith (2-29 off four overs) took two crucial scalps in the latter overs after Sixers import James Vince (67) appeared to have set up the chase perfectly.
Meredith, who at times clocked more than 150km/h, bowled Jack Edwards (47) in the 15th over.
He returned in the 18th over with Sydney needing 38 from 18 balls but conceded just four runs and had Daniel Hughes chopping on.
Vince top-scored for the Sixers, who were cruising at 1-118 in the 14th over when he fell to James Faulkner (2-22).
The Sixers lost 1-18 during their two-over optional power play and finished on 6-162, losing wickets in each of the final three overs.
"We set the whole run chase up beautifully," Sixers' Jordan Silk said.
"From that power play onwards, we lost a couple of wickets. Having two new batters at the wicket, it was always going to be hard to get the runs late."
Silk had a highlight in the field, leaping at full stretch over the boundary to knock the ball infield and prevent a six.
Hobart fell to 2-4 from seven balls after being sent in, with linchpin opener D'Arcy Short out for a golden duck.
South African import Colin Ingram and Singapore-born Tim David hit half centuries to resurrect the innings.
David, who has represented Singapore in 14 Twenty20 internationals, top scored with 58 off 33 balls and was named player of the match.
The former Perth Scorcher shared a 40-run partnership with Ingram, who stabilised the innings at No.3 with 55 from 42 deliveries.
In the first match under three new rules, neither team opted for a mid-innings replacement player.
Hobart claimed three competition points for the win but Sydney picked up the bonus point for being ahead comparatively at the 10-over mark.
