Mitchell Owen shatters David Warner's BBL 2024-25 title dream as Hobart Hurricanes become champions

The Nathan Ellis-led Hobart Hurricanes and the David Warner-led Sydney Thunder went head-to-head with each other in the summit clash of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 on Monday, January 27.

Hobart Hurricanes beat Sydney Thunder by 7 wickets in the final in a dominant fashion to clinch the Big Bash League (BBL) championship at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart for first time.

Also Read: Watch: Mitchell Owen plays innings of a lifetime, slams joint-fastest BBL hundred during final

💜 HOBART'S HEROES 💜

The @HurricanesBBL have won their FIRST BBL TITLE! #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/rpZAQ3hH4m

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 27, 2025

Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder's route to the BBL final

Hobart Hurricanes finished as the table toppers in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25, winning 7 out of 10 matches, while Sydney Thunder won 5 out of the 10 matches they played.

Hurricanes started off their tournament with a loss to the Melbourne Renegades by six wickets, but after that, they went on a winning spree. They beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets, Adelaide Strikers by 11 runs, Sydney Sixers by 50 runs, Adelaide Strikers again by five wickets, Sydney Thunder by five wickets, Melbourne Renegades by four wickets, and Brisbane Heat by five wickets.

Then, they faced a 40-run defeat at the hands of Melbourne Stars but quickly bounced back to beat Sydney Sixers by 12 runs. Also, their one match was abandoned against Sydney Thunder.

Talking about Sydney Thunder, they weren't very consistent despite starting off with a 2-wicket win against Adelaide Strikers. They lost to Sydney Sixers by five wickets, won against Melbourne Stars by 18 runs, and defeated Melbourne Renegades by eight runs and Perth Scorchers by four wickets before losing to Brisbane Heat by five wickets.

Their one match was abandoned against Hobart Hurricanes, and in the other one, they lost by six wickets. Also, they beat Perth Scorchers by 61 runs, Melbourne Stars by 21 runs, and Sydney Sixers by four wickets after their previous match had no result.

Hobart Hurricanes won the toss in the BBL final

Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and opted to bowl first in the high-octane clash. They didn't make any changes to their team and backed the same XI that carried them into their first Big Bash Final in 7 years.

On the other hand, Sydney Thunder made one change with an aim to secure their first men's title since BBL 05 as Ollie Davies returned to the side after overcoming his thigh injury. He replaced Australia Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Hugh Weibgen in the team.

Batting first, openers Jason Sangha and David Warner batted brilliantly and provided the Thunder a great start. Sangha smashed 67 runs and Warner scored 48 runs as the duo were involved in a 97-run partnership.

Momentum shifted towards the Hurricanes after the dismissal of the openers, but Sam Billings (20), Oliver Davies (26), and Chris Green (16) came up with crucial contributions that helped the Thunder post a good total of 182/7 on the board.

For Hurricanes, the skipper Nathan Ellis led from the front with the ball and claimed three wickets and he was supported very well by Riley Meredith, who also bagged a 3-wicket haul.

Mitchell Owen goes berserk in the BBL final

The most incredible T20 innings.

Here's all the highlights from Mitchell Owen's 108 off 42 balls. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/2hNwtCimWF

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 27, 2025

The Hurricanes started the run-chase in the final in an exceptional manner as the 23-year-old Mitchell Owen went berserk. Owen brought out his aggressive avatar and decimated the bowling unit of the Thunder.

The youngster played some sensational strokes and completed 16-ball 50 - the fastest in BBL history. He and Caleb Jewell had a 109-run partnership in which Owen contributed 85 runs while his partner's contribution was 13 runs.

Tanveer Sangha picked two wickets in the same over to stage a mini comeback for the Thunder but wasn't able to do any major damage. Owen eventually got dismissed after playing a historic knock of 108 runs in 42 balls, with 6 fours and 11 sixes.

In the end, Matthew Wade (32) and Ben McDermott (18) provided the finishing touches and completed the run-chase in just 14.1 overs to clinch the first-ever title for Hobart Hurricanes.

You better believe it, Hobart!

This is the moment the HURRICANES become BBL CHAMPIONS 🏆 #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/CgNshy0P5f

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 27, 2025