BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – West Indies all-rounder, Keemo Paul, had little impact with either bat or ball but his Hobart Hurricanes still managed to pull off a one-run victory over Brisbane Heat in the Australian Big Bash here yesterday.
Asked to chase 151 at the Gabba, Heat were restricted to 149 for eight off their 20 overs, giving Hurricanes their fourth win in six matches to go third in the eight-team standings on 15 points.
Key to the victory was the new ball, fast bowling pair of Riley Meredith (3-21) and Scott Boland (2-18) who scythed through the top order to reduce Heat to eight for three in the third over.
Opener Max Bryant, who struck 32 off 21 balls, then combined with Lewis Gregoty (29) to prop up the innings in a 52-run, fourth wicket stand.
However, medium pacer Paul, who finished with one for 42 from three overs, broke the partnership in the ninth over when he removed Bryant, caught on the ropes at long off by Colin Ingram.
Gregory followed soon after but James Bazley arrived at number seven to belt an unbeaten 49 off 31 deliveries, reviving the run chase in a 50-run fifth wicket stand with captain Jimmy Peirson (14).
They required seven off the final over and two from the final ball but Mark Steketee was run out scrambling a single that would have tied the contest.
Earlier, Paul scored only eight as Hurricanes were dismissed for a modest 150 with two balls remaining in the innings.
Dawid Malan top-scored with 39 off 32 deliveries and Tim David smashed a 17-ball 36 as Afghan spin wizard Mujeeb Ur Rahman wrecked the innings with five for 15 from his four overs.
Paul was one of his victims, caught and bowled off a leading edge, attempting to work a delivery through the onside.