Hobart Hurricanes 8 for 172 (Wade 51, David 46*, Richardson 3-26) beat Perth Scorchers 8 for 164 (Inglis 62, Dooley 4-16, Meredith 2-36) by eight runs
Defending 173, Dooley starred with crucial wickets at pivotal junctures during Scorchers’ see-saw chase to emerge as Hurricanes’ hero.
Rebounding from a big opening loss to Melbourne Stars, Hurricanes snapped a five-game losing streak to Scorchers.
Dooley quickly becoming Hurricanes’ cult hero
Dooley was a Covid-19 replacement player last season for Brisbane Heat with his sole game against Hurricanes.
He didn’t claim a wicket in that game but bowled tidily and obviously made an impression on Hurricanes’ hierarchy, who were happy to snap him up.
But the 25-year-old bowled accurately to frustrate du Plessis, who on the last ball of the over was bowled after backing away attempting a slash.
He finished with 4 for 16 from four overs with his bowling marked by canny variations, unnerving accuracy and occasional sharp turn.
His much discussed unorthodox action, described by commentators as the bowling equivalent of a windmill, has already made him particularly eye-catching.
“I’ve always had the grip,” he said while collecting his Man-of-the-Match award, “And flicked them out but probably four years ago when India were over for the summer of cricket, I was just in the back yard on Christmas Day practicing some Jasprit Bumrahs. It kind of worked for my rhythm so I just went with it and it goes all right now. If it distracts the batters when they first see me, it’s an added bonus.”
More to follow
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Source: ESPN Crickinfo