Hobart Hurricanes into Big Bash grand final, Jack Edwards takes one-handed catch

Sydney Sixers player Jack Edwards produced a stunning catch this season, but his team ultimately fell short, with the Hobart Hurricanes securing their spot in the Australian cricket league final. In the qualifying match at Bellerive Oval, Edwards' diving one-handed grab to dismiss Matthew Wade in the first innings was one of many highlights in the Hurricanes' 12-run victory.

The Hobart Hurricanes, fueled by a fiery performance from Riley Meredith, defeated the Sydney Sixers by 12 runs to advance to the final, just one step away from their first Australian cricket league title. Chasing a target of 173, the Sydney Sixers needed 21 runs off the final six balls, but Chris Jordan conceded only eight, leaving the visitors to finish on 5-161 on Tuesday night.

Jordan Silk came to the crease with the team in a precarious position at 3-5 in the third over, providing some hope for the Sixers with a 57 off 44 balls. Meredith was outstanding in the opening spell, bowling at speeds exceeding 152kph, putting the Sixers on the back foot. He dismissed Josh Philippe with his fourth ball, followed by Ben McDermott taking a diving catch at slip to remove captain Moises Henriques (1).

Silk combined with Kurtis Patterson (48 off 33 balls) and rookie Lachlan Shaw (33 off 25 balls not out) to give their team a glimmer of hope. However, he was caught out by Nathan Ellis in the penultimate over, with Jordan taking a sharp catch in the deep. Dangerous hitter Ben Dwarshuis hit a six off the second ball, giving the Sixers a glimpse of hope before the final over. "It feels great, but the job is not quite done," Jordan said. "Riley has been outstanding all season. His pace is pretty scary. When we see that, we start ... feeding off it."

Hobart have reached the final twice – in 2013/14 and 2017/18 respectively – but they are one of only two teams yet to win the title. Sydney were missing the experience of Steve Smith, Todd Murphy, and Sean Abbott, who have left Australia for two Test matches in Sri Lanka. "(At) 3-5 you're asking a lot of your batters, but I thought the boys showed a lot of fight and gave us a chance," Henriques said.

Earlier, a well-set Mitch Owen (36 off 15 balls) got the Hurricanes off to a good start, before Tim David (25 off 10 balls) joined in later in the innings. The Hurricanes were threatening to set a huge total after opening at 0-43 after three overs but found the going tough in the middle overs. Then, Edwards produced his brilliant catch at point to dismiss Wade off Mitchell Perry's bowling. Owen, who has moved to the opener position this season, hit four boundaries in the first eight balls after Hobart lost the toss.

But Hobart stalled when he was caught by England wrist-spinner Jafer Chohan (2-28) in the fifth over. Caleb Jewell (40 off 41 balls) and McDermott (42 off 31 balls) struggled to get going until the latter sparked into life in the power surge. The Sixers will have another chance to reach the final. They will face either the Sydney Thunder or Melbourne Stars.