A first Big Bash League half-century to Simon Milenko has helped the Hobart Hurricanes to a competitive 5-167 in the Big Bash League match against the Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground.
Milenko had just 60 runs in total in 10 previous Twenty20 appearances, but turned it on with 66 from 37 balls with four fours and five sixes.
He came in on Saturday night with Hobart 4-68 in the 11th over, having lost Matthew Wade (31), D'Arcy Short (11), Ben McDermott (8) and Dan Christian (1).
But Milenko combined for a steadying 70-run stand with captain George Bailey (37 from 33).
The Hurricanes took a particular liking to left-arm paceman Joel Paris (1-46). Wade took him for 22 in the second over on his way to 31 from 17.
Paris did get him with the score at 1-41 before Short fell for 11 from 13, having just become the first batsman to score 500 runs in a BBL season.
Ashton Agar (2-14) was superb with the ball for the Scorchers including his first over being a maiden. He had Ben McDermott stumped and bowled Dan Christian to leave the Hurricanes at 4-68.
But the Hurricanes knew the importance of the game to consolidate a semi-final spot and maintain hopes of finishing top two.
Bailey did well as a steadying hand in his 37 but Milenko who was the star with his 66. His big hitting was particularly impressive with five sixes, two of which came off Mitchell Johnson (0-35).
Matt Kelly also took 2-23 for the Scorchers.
