Worcestershire CCC 2022 overseas player, Matthew Wade, produced an astonishing display of hitting in captaining Hobart Hurricanes to victory over holders Sydney Sixers on their own ground in the Big Bash League.
Wade elected to bat and then smashed 93 off 46 balls with five sixes and nine fours.
He dominated an opening stand of 111 in 11.2 overs with D’Arcy Short, who contributed just 16.
It was more evidence of the kind of explosive hitting that Worcestershire members and supporters can look forward to next summer from Wade.
Last month, his unbeaten 41 off 17 balls helped Australia defeat Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final before lifting the trophy.
Wade, who is available to play for Worcestershire in all formats, helped the Hurricanes to a 44 run win under the Duckworth-Lewis Method.
It gave them revenge for defeat against the Sixers in Launceston on Wednesday.
Wade signalled his intent with five fours in the second over from England bowler Tom Curran and completed an 18 ball half-century.
He looked set for a memorable hundred before he was caught at long on off Curran with a strike rate of 202.17.
Short eventually accelerated and reached 73 not out from 51 balls in a total of 213-2 from 20 overs.
The Sixers had made 43-0 in 4.3 overs when rain caused a brief stoppage and left them with a revised target of 196 in 18 overs.
They closed on 152-4 to leave Wade and his teammates comfortable winners.
