Ben Dunk’s superb 96 powered the Hobart Hurricanes to an imposing 5-167 against Sydney Thunder in Saturday’s Big Bash League game at Bellerive.

The Thunder fought back well following Dunk’s dismissal in the 17th over but will need to fire on all cylinders if they’re to overhaul the Hurricanes’ total.

Spared on 69 when Jason Floros dropped a simple chance at long-on, Dunk finished with 96 from 54 deliveries when he was caught in the deep trying to bring up triple figures.

Despite leaving the bumper Hobart crowd disappointed, he provided the home side with a perfect platform to post an imposing total against the struggling Thunder.

The visitors will still need to go at better than eight runs per over during the chase to snap a losing streak that dates back to December 2011 and has spanned 18 BBL matches.

Dunk shared a 71-run second-wicket partnership with Travis Birt (22 from 19 deliveries) but it was the left-handed opener’s power hitting that lit up Bellerive on a perfect afternoon for cricket in Hobart.

While crafty spinner Ajantha Mendis (1-19) proved hard for Hurricanes’ batsmen to pick, there was almost no stopping the destructive Dunk as he piled on eight boundaries and five sixes while posting the highest individual score so far in this season’s tournament.

He eventually holed out to deep midwicket and, when the Hurricanes lost Aiden Blizzard (15) from the next delivery, Gurinder Sandhu (3-34) had temporarily halted the Hobart charge.

The Hurricanes could only manage 22 from the final four overs as the runs dried up following Dunk’s exit to give the Thunder a fighting chance.