Hurricanes thrash disappointing Thunder

Hobart Hurricanes have cruised to a comfortable five-wicket victory in a rain-affected contest over Sydney Thunder, with the men in green's misery compounded by a calf injury to captain Mike Hussey.

A dismal batting display by the Thunder saw them compile 7-77 from their 17 overs, with the Hurricanes requiring 82 to win under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

Hurricanes newcomer Jake Reed (4-11) continued his promising form, grabbing the early wickets of English import Jason Roy (4) and former Hobart batsman Aiden Blizzard (6) before returning to knock over Daniel Hughes, who top scored with 26 (22) and Chris Hartley (1).

Superstar pair Jacques Kallis (5) and Hussey (9) - upon whom Sydney's hopes seem to be worryingly reliant - both missed out, but it was the injury to the latter that will have most concerned the club's supporters.

The run rate carried a long at around four per over - glacial by Twenty20 standards - through the majority of the innings, as Mark Cosgrove (22 off 36), playing his first game since returning for a second stint at the Thunder, struggled to find any gaps in the field.

After a rain delay of 25 minutes, the Thunder lost 3-18 in the pursuit of quick runs as they struggled to get anywhere near the sort of total that is likely to test the Hurricanes in what is a hugely important clash for both teams.

Hobart openers Ben Dunk (22) and Michael Hill (24) shared a 30-run partnership to get their side on track, and despite Jon Wells and Evan Gulbis both departing for ducks, the visitors were relatively untroubled in reaching the required total with 20 balls to spare.