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Ben McDermott hit an unbeaten 89 off 55 balls to lead the Hobart Hurricanes to a six-wicket BBL win over the Melbourne Renegades at Blundstone Arena.

Hobart Hurricanes' Ben McDermott is riding an impressive run of Big Bash League and first-class scores, saying a decision to step away from captaincy duties has helped clear his mind.

McDermott clobbered an unbeaten 89 from 55 balls on Saturday to steer the Hurricanes to a convincing six-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades.

Coming off 46 in his opening BBL game and a century for Australia A the match prior, he was the leading hand as Hobart chased down 5-157 with 14 balls to spare.

McDermott took a particular liking to Will Sutherland in the 15th over, launching two massive leg-side sixes.

It continues a strong start to the domestic season for the 26-year-old who hit four half centuries in four Sheffield Shield games for Tasmania, including two scores of 90.

He said there were moments last summer he felt burdened by Hobart captaincy duties but was now in a clear headspace.

"That was a tricky period for me," he said.

"I was fringing on Australian duties, trying to play that middle order role for the Hurricanes when I think I play my best at the top.

"It was my first year wicketkeeping as well. To throw captaincy on that, it was a bit too much."

McDermott stepped up after Hobart lost D'Arcy Short for one early in the chase, his third single-figure score from four innings this tournament.

After being sent in, Melbourne fell to 2-4 in the second over before young wicketkeeper Sam Harper led the recovery with an unbeaten 66.

The 24-year-old shared a 109-run partnership with South African import Rilee Rossouw (59 from 40).

Hurricanes' quick Scott Boland was exceptionally economical with the new ball, taking 1-3 from two overs including a rare maiden before returning late to finish with 2-19.

Rossouw was given a life on 33 when Will Jacks made a complete mess of a simple skied chance off speedster Riley Meredith.

Veteran Shaun Marsh, captaining Melbourne in the absence of Aaron Finch who left the BBL bubble for one match, was out for one in the opening over.

Melbourne made a surprise X-factor substitute at the 10-over mark with the score at 2-69, bringing in batsman Mackenzie Harvey for impressive rookie spinner Peter Hatzoglou.

But he didn't get a bat with Mohammad Nabi and Beau Webster coming in above him.

Hobart have won three of four matches in Tasmania to start the tournament, while the Renegades are one from three.