In 2015, Mitchell Wayne was just a supporter in the stands for Hobart Hurricanes, but 10 years later, he made history by scoring a century on the field, leading the team to their first-ever Big Bash title.
The 183-run target in the final was certainly challenging, but Sydney Thunder’s bowlers had no answers for the onslaught from Wayne. He delivered a spectacular century, guiding Hobart to a historic victory.
On Monday, Hobart secured a 7-wicket win at their home ground, Bellerive Oval, chasing down the target in just 14.1 overs. From being dismissed for just 74 runs in their first match of the season, the team rose to lift the trophy.
After two finals losses in the past 14 years of the competition, Hobart finally claimed the title in their third attempt.
Wayne was the hero of the final. In a photo circulating on social media, a 13-year-old Wayne is seen cheering for Hobart in the stands back in 2015. Now, 10 years later, he was the one to deliver the match-winning century, making it a truly surreal moment.
The 23-year-old reached his century in just 39 balls, the joint-fastest in Big Bash history. The previous record of 39 balls was set by Craig Simmons in the 2014 season.
Wayne’s remarkable innings included 11 sixes and 6 fours, and he scored 108 runs off 42 balls in his second century of the season.
Batting first, Sydney Thunder managed to score 182/7 in their 20 overs, with Warner (48 off 32 balls) and Sangha (67 off 42 balls) being the top scorers.
Hobart’s bowlers, led by captain Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith, each took 3 wickets, keeping the target manageable.
Wayne started the chase with a bang, hitting a six and two fours off Nathan McAndrew in the first over, followed by three sixes and a four off Wes Agar in the third over. He reached his fifty in just 16 balls.
In a stand of 109 runs off 44 balls with Caleb Jewell, Wayne scored 85 runs on his own. His century was completed by the 10th over. When he was dismissed, Hobart needed just 44 runs from 58 balls. Ben McDermott and Matthew Wade quickly sealed the win, with McDermott scoring 18 off 12 balls and Wade contributing 32 off 17 balls.
Wayne’s rise to the opening position was remarkable. In 2021, he made his T20 debut, initially playing as a bowling all-rounder in the lower order. He had only played 13 matches for Hobart in the first four seasons, scoring a mere 79 runs, with a highest score of 28.
This season, he was promoted to the opening role, and he repaid the team’s faith with a sensational century in his second match. His 101* off 64 balls, including 5 sixes and 9 fours, led Hobart to victory over Perth.
Wayne’s second destructive century in the final earned him the trophy, making him the highest run-scorer of the season with 452 runs at a strike rate of 203.60 from 11 matches.