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Ben McDermott Misses BBL Record By Three Runs To Take Hurricanes To Nail-Biting Victory

He didn't quite break a record, but he sure helped his team break one.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Ben McDermott of the Hurricanes bats during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Hobart Hurricanes at Etihad Stadium on January 12, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Ben McDermott of the Hurricanes bats during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Hobart Hurricanes at Etihad Stadium on January 12, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

It was a game where records seemed to fall faster than wickets.

First, the Melbourne Renegades, fighting to make it into the finals, smashed their way to an all-time record of 4-222, with two half-centuries by Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper.

So they could have been forgiven for being a little complacent when the Hobart Hurricanes came up to bat.

Then, 22-year-old batsman Ben McDermott drowned any sense that it is game-over, smashing his way into cricketing history, hitting six after six to reach an incredible 114 runs off just 52 balls -- just three runs short of Luke Wright's record of 117.

The excitement of the crowd swelled as the unbelievable moments just kept coming:

SIX! A great strike from Ben McDermott and handy grab from old mate in the crowd. LIVE: https://t.co/wvN033xEq2#BBL06pic.twitter.com/r4CEoNnmnS

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2017

100! What an unbelievable knock. LIVE: https://t.co/wvN033xEq2#BBL06pic.twitter.com/LD2acpSKUp

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2017

The 22-year-old belted out 9 sixes and 8 fours before finally getting out to an LBW.

OUT! Ben McDermott goes for 114 in one of the best T20 knocks you will ever see. LIVE: https://t.co/wvN033xEq2#BBL06pic.twitter.com/ty0xJ06bl6

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 12, 2017

It was enough, however. The Hurricanes went on to chase down the Renegades' target of 223 and win by two wickets -- simultaneously setting a new run record for the second time that evening.

It was only the second game of this Big Bash season for the previously unsung batsman, who replaced renowned Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

His dad, former test cricketer Craig McDermott, took to Twitter to express his excitement.

Awesome hitting 💯record BBL knock, so proud @mstarc56@msdhoni@CricketAuspic.twitter.com/4yZMlfGAzh

— CraigMcDermott (@c_mcdermott328) January 12, 2017

You can check out more highlights from Ben McDermott's innings here.

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