McDermott spin attack leads Hurricanes to win over DC in GSL debut

A sparse but vibrant crowd witnessed an intense contest in match three of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) between Dubai Capitals and Hobart Hurricanes.
It was the Hurricanes’ captain, Ben McDermott, who took the game away from the Dubai Capitals with wonderful stroke play as the team recorded their victory in their debut on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dubai Capitals got off to a flying start as Capitals were already 28 without loss after 2 overs. The flurry of runs was mainly due to opening batsman Sediqullah Atal. The Hurricanes would break the partnership thanks to the experience of off-spinner Mohammed Nabi.
Atal, trying to continue the early momentum, was dismissed due to an excellent running catch by Fabian Allen. He made 25 off 11 balls, which included 3 fours and two sixes.

Capitals batsmen continued to try to add impetus to the innings but lost two key batsmen in quick succession. First Nabi struck again as Rohan Mustafa held out in the deep as Macalister Wright claimed the catch.
In the final over of the powerplay, which was bowled by Allen, resulted in just one run and a wicket. The Caribbean duo of Fabian Allen and Odean Smith combined to get the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella as he fell for 12.
Shakib Al Hasan, the Capitals’ man of the match in their last encounter, chased a wide delivery with a wayward shot and was caught by long-off, handing Nabi his second wicket of the match as the team continued to play reckless cricket. The Capitals were 55 for 4 after 7 overs following his dismissal.

Kadeem Alleyne and captain Gulbadin Naib constructed a mini 27-run partnership, but spin again would come into play as Allen dismissed Alleyne as he was caught at short extra cover by Jackson Bird.
Rain interrupted play after 13 overs, with Gulbadin Naib and Jesse Bootan at the crease and the score at 93 for 5. Naib fell for 31 off 27 balls shortly after the resumption as he miscued his shot straight up in the air as leg spinner Usama Mir completed the catch off his own bowling.
With the score at 108 for 6 heading into the last four overs, Capitals were desperate for some much-needed boundaries. Dominic Drakes tried as he struck one four and one six in his innings of 11.

Allen picked up his wicket and completed his bowling spell with figures of 3 for 21 at an economy rate of 5.25 runs per over.  Odean Smith took his first wicket in the 20th over of the first innings when he removed Bootan, who scored eighteen at a strike rate of 100. After their allocated 20 overs, the Dubai Capitals would end their innings with a total of 141 for 8.
After giving the Hurricanes a strong start to their run chase with 15 off 6 balls, Bhanuka Rajapaksa was stumped off Rohan Mustafa’s bowling, throwing away his wicket.
Hurricanes continued to march on at a very healthy run rate of 11.83 runs per over. At the end of the powerplay, they were 71 for 1 with boundaries flowing everywhere. Ben McDermott and Macalister Wright placed the Capitals bowlers under immense pressure, constantly finding the boundaries.
The Hurricanes were 101 for 1 after 10 overs, putting them in a very comfortable position. Qais Ahmad removed McDermott with a Jaffa, hitting the top of the off stump. During his innings of 48, McDermott struck 5 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 200. His wicket saw the end of a 78-run partnership.
As the Hurricanes continued to move closer to the target score, Wright reached his half-century in the fifteenth over.  Drakes then caught Wright at long-on at 50, giving Aryaman Varma his wicket.  The Hobart Hurricanes won the match by 7 wickets after concluding their innings at 142 for 3 in 17 overs, marking their first victory in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League.