Mitch Owen slammed the fastest hundred in the Big Bash League Final and the join-fastest in tournament history to end Hobart Hurricanes' 14-year-long trophy drought. Nathan Ellis-led side won their maiden BBL title by defeating former champions Sydney Thunders in the final which was being played at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, on January 27 (Monday). The title win became more special as it came in front of their home crowd. hey had previously played the final two times and faced defeat both times.
Sydney Thunder post 182/7 batting first
Sydney Thunders were asked to bat first and they were off to a good start as David Warner and Jason Sangha joined a good opening partnership of 97 runs. However, after Warner (48 runs off 32 balls) got out, Thunder's innings slowly started to fall. Jason Sangha did play a 67-run knock off 42 balls but the rest of the players failed to make big contributions. Thunders could only post 182/7 at the end of their innings. Both Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith took 3 wickets each.
Mitch Owen's hurricane sailed Hobart over the line
Thunders must have thought that their 182/7 was a decent total on board but Mitch Owens had a different thought in mind. He was in beast mode and smashed Sydney Thunder's bowlers all over the park to bring up his fifty in just 16 balls and then went on to hit the joint-fastest hundred in BBL history off just 39 balls. This was also the fastest ton in a BBL final. He took the game completely away from Thunders single-handedly.
He eventually got out after scoring 108 runs off 42 balls but he had ensured that Hurricanes would be lifting their maiden title. They won the game with 7 wickets and 35 balls remaining. BBL now have a brand-new champion.
"It's an amazing feeling, lost for words. Super grateful to all the fans you guys have been great, so loud., thank you very much. Feels like a long time ago. I was just doing what I was enjoying throughout the whole tournament, Luckily it came off tonight as well," said Mitch Owen after winning the Player of the Match.