BBL 2025: Mitchell Owen steals the thunder as Hobart Hurricanes win maiden Big Bash title

Mitchell Owen smashed a century in BBL final. (Photo: BBL/X)

They had never won the Big Bash League (BBL) before, and as the Hobart Hurricanes headed into Monday’s final against the David Warner-led Sydney Thunder, their hopes rested mainly on a clutch of stars with international experience. Nathan Ellis, the captain, has represented Australia in 28 white-ball matches, while Matthew Wade, the wicketkeeper, accumulated 225 national caps across formats over a 13-year period. Ben McDermott, Tim David and Riley Meredith had also been capped by Australia, while Chris Jordan was once an important part of England’s all-conquering white-ball sides.

The 23-year-old Mitchell Owen had announced himself earlier in the competition with a thrilling 64-ball century against Perth Scorchers in a low-scoring encounter. But against a Thunder side led by Warner, one of the T20 greats, and featuring two players of Indian descent – the unrelated Jason and Tanveer Sangha – few expected him to be the hero.

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Once the Thunder put 182 on the board, it was supposed to be their final to lose. But someone forgot to tell Owen, who is one of the new breed of T20 specialists. His medium-pace bowling is of the filler variety – he averages two overs a game and has just six wickets over his BBL career – and he was seen as a lower-order hitter before the Hurricanes took a chance on asking him to open.

In the final, Owen’s opening salvo of shots destroyed the Thunder. Nathan McAndrew, on the fringes of national selection, was carted for 23 in his first over, while Tom Andrews and Wes Agar were also smeared to all parts of the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. With the crowd chanting his name, Owen needed just 16 balls to bring up his 50. An astonishing 74 runs came from the first four overs as Warner – leading the side after his post-Sandpapergate ban was lifted – looked lost for answers.

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

By the time he was third man out for 108 in the 11th over, the Hurricanes had 139 on the board and the result was a foregone conclusion. Owen smashed six fours and 11 sixes in all, needing just 39 balls for his century, the joint-fastest in BBL history alongside Craig Simmons’ effort for the Scorchers in January 2014.

“To be here and hear them chanting my name, it hasn't quite sunk in, but it's amazing and I'm so grateful for it,” Owen told Fox Cricket after the match. “All I wanted to do was lift that trophy.”

Wade, part of Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning side in 2021, gave his teammate a glowing endorsement. “I haven't seen too many blokes hit the ball like that and the way he can just keep going,” he said when interviewed by Fox Cricket. “It was exceptional hitting. He's going to be a hell of a player for a long time."