Sydney Thunder have cruised to a sixth-straight Big Bash League win after a polished performance with bat and ball against the Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.
England import Alex Hales top scored for the Thunder with an unbeaten 80 from 56 balls - his highest of the season - as they chased down Hobart's 6-139 with nine wickets to spare and 16 balls remaining.
Hales, who has posted back-to-back BBL half centuries, shared a 116-run partnership with skipper Jason Sangha (35no from 31 balls) which ironed out the bulk of the total.
The 33-year-old was measured early but unleashed late, launching a straight six off speedster Riley Meredith.
Hales' last 30 runs came off just 12 deliveries.
Thunder quicks Nathan McAndrew (2-31) and Gurinder Sandhu (2-32) did the damage with the ball after the Hurricanes elected to bat first.
McAndrew claimed the big scalp of in-form Hurricanes opener Ben McDermott (38 from 34 balls) in the 10th over after getting rid of Caleb Jewell cheaply inside the powerplay.
The Hurricanes struggled to get out of second gear and went without a boundary for 42 balls through the middle overs.
Hobart made life harder for themselves, grassing several tough chances during the Thunder chase.
Sydney remain in second position on the ladder, while the Hurricanes are in fifth with six losses and five wins.
D'Arcy Short (29 from 24 balls) showed a glimpse of his best with three consecutive boundaries late in Hobart's innings, batting in the unfamiliar position of No.5.
Young legspinner Tanveer Sangha picked up 1-22 for the Thunder, including the wicket of Peter Handscomb (22 from 25 balls) who was out stumped.
Hobart will be sweating on the return of skipper Matthew Wade, who has missed the last two games on indefinite leave for personal reasons.
The Hurricanes and Thunder meet again on Thursday at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.
