Adelaide strikes Thunder twice in BBL|12
ADELAIDE Strikers have moved to 3-0 on the new Big Bash League (BBL) season after defeating the Sydney Thunder for the second time in five days. The home side won by six wickets in a clinical chase at Adelaide Oval, moving past the Thunder’s set total of 5-150 with eight balls to spare.
Less than a week removed from Sydney’s batting capitulation which yielded a men’s T20 low of 15 runs, the Thunder batted first and were served well by opener Alex Hales. The Englishman led an onslaught in the powerplay, smacking 36 of his side’s 39 runs en route to a match-best effort of 68 (50).
He combined with 22-year-old Oliver Davies (42 off 30) to put on a 63-run stand, before both were removed by Colin de Grandhomme (2-27). Having been on track for a much bigger total at the halfway mark, the Strikers’ bowlers did well to keep things relatively tidy.
Alongside de Grandhomme, competition leading wicket taker Henry Thornton continued his remarkable season to date, picking up 2-18 off three overs. Favourite son Rashid Khan also troubled the wickets column, trapping Matthew Gilkes (3) in front for his side’s first breakthrough.
In response, Matt Short put on another masterclass. Having conceded just 13 runs off three overs with the ball, he freed his arms after some early trepidation to amass 65 (44). He took a particular liking to Daniel Sams (0-34 off 2) and belted five sixes in the definitive dig.
Short made most of the inroads alongside Chris Lynn (28 off 26) in an 83-run partnership, but much like Hales and Davies, both batters came undone at the hands of the same bowler. Namely, it was Nathan McAndrew (2-25) in this case, whose full deliveries proved too good to keep out.
Adam Hose was left to put on the finishing touches alongside Thomas Kelly (2*), with the latter completing the innings on an unbeaten 28 (20). The Strikers now sit pretty with a perfect record atop the table, boasting the league’s leading run scorer (Short) and wicket taker (Thornton).
They’ll look to add to their record after a decent layoff, next scheduled to face the Hobart Hurricanes on January 2. The Thunder will be in action twice before then, taking on the Brisbane Heat and Hurricanes prior to the new year.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Adelaide Strikers (4-151) def. Sydney Thunder (5-150) by 6 wickets
POTM: Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers)
TOSS: Sydney Thunder won the toss and elected to bat
KEY PLAYERS
Adelaide Strikers:
Henry Thornton 2-18 (3), Colin de Grandhomme 2-27, Rashid Khan 1-25
Matt Short 65 (44), Adam Hose 28* (20), Chris Lynn 28 (26)
Sydney Thunder:
Alex Hales 68 (50), Oliver Davies 42 (30)
Nathan McAndrew 2-25, Gurinder Sandhu 1-18 (3.4)
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