Sydney Thunder 228 for 6 (Hales 77, Davies 65, Ellis 4-37) beat Sydney Thunder 166 (Wade 67, Dogget 4-35) by 62 runs
On an extremely batter-friendly wicket at Albury’s Lavington Sports Ground, Davies fired away to the first half-century of his young BBL career, while English opener Hales was the steady hand after the Thunder were sent in.
Six of his ten boundaries went over either long-on or long-off before he was caught by Paddy Dooley at backward point from Ellis’ bowling.
Hales became the first man to surpass 200 runs for the tournament and appeared set to finish the innings unbeaten until he was caught on the boundary rope by Tim David on the first ball of the final over.
Davies caught the destructive D’Arcy Short at point from Doggett’s bowling to get Hurricanes’ chase off to a meek start but Wade wasted no time making amends.
The skipper hit three sixes from ramp shots in the same over Short was dismissed and equalled his own record for fastest 50 by a Hurricanes player. Wade hit six sixes as he reached his half-century from only 19 deliveries.
Called in to replace the injured Gurinder Sandhu, Cutting enticed Wade into toeing the ball to Rilee Rossouw at backward point on only his second delivery of the BBL summer.
Wade reviewed the decision, hoping it was a bump ball, but the wicket stood after multiple replays and the Hurricanes fell to 105 for 3.
Davies, younger brother of Oliver, threw straight to wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes from midwicket to spring David as he tried to sneak back for a second run.
Hurricanes were officially in trouble when their last two recognised batters, Asif Ali and Shadab Khan, were both caught in the space of seven deliveries and it faded away quickly.