Mitchell Owen smashed his way to a sensational 39-ball century during Monday’s Big Bash final as the Hobart Hurricanes cantered their way to a seven-wicket victory against the Sydney Thunder.
It was the Hurricanes first-ever Big Bash title, with the Hurricanes ending a 14-year wait for the victory in front of their home fans at the Ninja Stadium in Tasmania.
Thunder posted a competitive 182-7 from 20 overs after being sent in but Owen’s 108-run blitzkrieg ensured the hosts quickly assumed a commanding position in their reply, cruising to 185-3 with 35 balls remaining.
Owen, 23, was branded ‘fearless’ by some on social media as he stepped to the crease to produce a historic knock, racing to his way to the BBL’s third-fastest half-century after just 16 deliveries.
Remarkably, Owen struck 11 sixes – a first by a player in a Big Bash final – before he was eventually caught out by Hugh Weibgen at deep square leg for 108 runs off 42 balls
The insane knock also saw him equal the record for the fastest century in a Big Bash final which was set by Craig Simmons back in 2014, who scored his ton after 39 deliveries.
Mitchell Owen produced a sensational knock to help Hobart Hurricanes seal a seven-wicket victory in the Big Bash final against Sydney Thunder on Monday
Hobart clinched the title with a seven-wicket victory in front of their home fans at the Ninja Stadium
‘It was pretty special,’ Owen told Fox Cricket.
‘I could [hear the crowd] and I was trying to stay calm, but that got me going. Maybe I need that every game and sing it inside my head.
‘I have a lot of friends and family here. It’s something I have dreamed of for a long time.’
After securing the victory, Owen said: ‘It’s an amazing feeling, I’m lost for words. Super grateful to all the fans, you really got us going out there, thank you very much!
‘Feels like a long time ago to be honest. I was just doing what I’ve been trying to do the whole competition.’
Simmons, who had previously held the record for the fastest Big Bash final ton, took to X to lump praise on Owen.
‘Serious knock by big boy Owen, great 100 in a final,’ Simmons wrote.
‘Nice to have another member in the sub 40 ball 100 club.
Owen sensationally struck 11 sixes during the match, the most of any player during a BBL final
He joked that the pair would have to settle who was the best batsman over an ‘eat off’.
‘Maybe we can take that player of the match KFC voucher and settle it over an eat off.’
Fans logged into social media to lump praise on Owen for the incredible knock.
‘Take a bow Mitch Owen,’ one fan wrote.
‘A very decent clean cut guy is Mitch Owen,’ another wrote.
‘TWENTY-THREE YEAR MITCHELL OWEN IN THE BBL FINAL – FEARLESS STRIKING,’ another said.
Another said: ‘What an entertainment man… bro made it one sided… proper belting!!’
Thunder had started well against the Hurricanes, but they were simply outclassed by a special innings from Owen, with Aussie cricket great Mark Waugh lumping praise on Hobart and Owen before claiming that Australia selectors must take note of his insane skills.
Hobart elected to bowl first, seeing their opponents finish the first-innings with a score of 182-7
After the match, Sydney skipped David Warner lumped praise on Mitchell Owen for his outstanding knock
‘This is as good as hitting as you will ever see from anyone at any time in the history of cricket,’ Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
‘They have no answer tonight. Everything the Thunder has tried, he has been able to whack it out of the ground.’
He added: ‘The Australian selectors would have to be taking notice of Mitch Owen’s batting in this tournament.
‘In the T20 level obviously, as good hitting as I’ve seen in a long time in this tournament. Fields well, can bowl.
‘He’s crunched anything in his arc, whether it be spin or pace.’
Adam Gilchrist was also left stunned by the epic innings, stating to Fox Cricket: ‘Unforgettable moment, unforgettable scenes. Parents holding children aloft over their heads, no one in attendance will forget what they just witnessed.’
After Owen left the crease, Wade stepped up to wrap up the innings, with the wicket keeper following in the footsteps of the Hurricanes opener, with five fours and a six of his own.
Owen, a Hobart local, had watched his opening partner Caleb Jewell (13) and nikhil Chaudhary (1) fall in quick succession as leg spinner Tanveer Sangha (2-43) took a brace of quick wickets.
Earlier, Thunder openers David Warner and Jason Sangha bludgeoned 97 runs off the first 10 overs to silence the Hobart crowd.
Mark Waugh claimed that Australian selectors should now consider Owen (pictured) for selection
The first wicket fell when skipper Warner, who had his Cricket Australia leadership ban for his role in the 2018 ball-tampering incident in South Africa lifted three months ago, was caught-behind for 48 off seamer Nathan Ellis (3-23).
Ellis then had Matthew Gilkes chopping on for a duck to spur momentum for the ladder-topping Hurricanes, who accounted for Sam Billings (20) when speedster Riley Meredith (3-27) rattled the stumps.
Sangha, who top-scored with 67, was caught off Ellis trying to up the ante as the hosts tightened the screws in the death overs.
The Australian domestic focus now returns to the red-ball Sheffield Shield on Feb. 8, while the national team embarks on a short tour of Sri Lanka ahead of their first Champions Trophy engagement against England in Lahore on Feb. 22.
