Dunk slams half-century to see Adelaide Strikers home in BBL

The Strikers had won just once in the BBL before the Hurricanes arrived at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, but Dunk blasted 79 not out from only 49 balls after he was dropped by Stuart Broad on 54 to move it up to sixth.

Adelaide Strikers Ben Dunk was on fire against Hobart.

Ben Dunk smashed an unbeaten half-century against his former franchise and Chris Jordan also starred as Adelaide Strikers beat Hobart Hurricanes by five wickets in the Big Bash League.

The Strikers had won just once in the BBL before the Hurricanes arrived at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, but Dunk blasted 79 not out from only 49 balls after he was dropped by Stuart Broad on 54 to move it up to sixth.

England bowler Jordan also made a key impact, taking 3-24 and finishing unbeaten on 15 after smashing a six to win. Beau Webster hit a magnificent unbeaten 67 off just 43 deliveries in his first BBL innings, with Jonathan Wells (55 from 37) also making a half-century as the Hurricanes recovered from a dreadful start to post 161-8.

Jordan and Billy Stanlake (2-39) claimed two wickets apiece to reduce the Hurricanes to 30-5 before Webster and Wells — put down by Kieron Pollard on 38 — performed a rescue act with a sixth-wicket stand of 89.

That was still not enough to prevent the Strikers from sealing a much needed win after Broad (2-37) and Dan Christian (2-24) had both struck twice.

  DUNK DIPS INTO HURRICANES ATTACK 

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dunk put on a show with some clean hitting, setting the platform for a successful run chase.

The powerful left-hander struck Broad for a six in the first over and took a liking to the England paceman even more when he dropped him at cover. Opener Dunk cleared the ropes three times and hit another eight boundaries in a highly impressive knock.

JORDAN MAGIC

Jordan mixed up his pace and length expertly, gaining his reward with the wickets of Tim Paine (14) and George Bailey (2) early on.

He also cleaned up Cameron Boyce (12), who he launched over midwicket and into the stands to seal victory with 10 balls to spare.

YOU BEAU: WEBSTER HITS THE GROUND RUNNING 

The performance of Webster was a major plus for the Hurricanes, who were spared humiliation by the Tasmanian and Wells. Webster looked very much at home in only his second BBL match, finding the gaps on both sides of the wicket in an innings which included a maximum and six fours.